David Eldon Thomas was born April 6, 1951, to Eldon Thomas and Alice Owens at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He attended Enterprise Elementary and Kellogg schools, until he moved to Haysville, Kansas, where he attended Rex Elementary, Junior High, and High School. David became a Christian at age seven and was baptized at Midway Baptist Church in Wichita. During his time at Midway Baptist, he met the love of his life Pamela Marie Pitts, from whom he was widowed in 2018.
He was the eldest of four brothers: Steven, Phillip, and James Thomas, all of which passed in ascending order. He's survived by his two children, Richard Thomas and Dr. Melissa Robbins, as well as his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who nicknamed him "Old Papa".
David was raised (quite literally in a barn) near Haysville, Kansas, and worked the farm in his youth. Many people from surrounding towns came to buy milk, eggs, and garden produce. He attended Coffeyville Junior College and Pittsburg State University, where he received his BA and MS in counseling. He completed his practicum at Miami Baptist Hospital in Miami, Oklahoma, where he served as a hospital chaplain and was heavily involved in a variety of counseling opportunities. While attending CCJC he founded the Baptist Student Union, and did honors work at PSU in two specific areas—Education of Special Needs Adults and Biological Science. Some of his research was published in a book by Dr. John Connelly, and he was working on his PhD at Liberty University before his passing.
From 1969 to 1977 he played keyboard for the Gospel Newbreed, and the Ark Valley Boys. In 1975, he was licensed to the ministry, and ordained in 1977 when he became a full-time minister. His work allowed him to serve various church organizations in Kansas and Missouri, including the Kansas Nebraska Association of Southern Baptist, the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board, and many others. He was also an administrator for the off-campus center in Joplin, Missouri, and professor for Southwest Baptist University.
Most churches he served did not offer a living salary; the majority of his income came from working in the insurance industry. He worked for American General, and as an agent for United America, American Republic, Mega Life, and Horace Mann, until he retired after open heart surgery. In his retirement, David focused on enjoying life's tremendous blessings and worked at his daughter Melissa's natural health clinic.
David noted his top achievements as visiting Israel, serving God, raising two wonderful children, marrying the love of his life, and witnessing miracles on a daily basis.
A viewing will be held one hour prior at 12:00 PM. David will be laid to rest beside his wife Pamela at Resthaven Mortuary and Gardens of Memory, 11800 W. Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas on November 21, 2024 at 1:00PM. Committal service will take place in the Garden of Prayer, Lot 164D, Space 1.
