Ian B Thomas

Ian Bryce Thomas of Manor, Texas died on April 20, 2023 at the age of 86. He was born June 1, 1936 in Gympie, Queensland, Australia, the third of four children, to David Thomas and Edith Liddy Thomas. He received his primary education in Gympie, then earned his high school diploma at Nudgee College in Brisbane. At the University of Queensland in Brisbane he graduated with undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics then traveled to the United States in September, 1959 to pursue graduate studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana, Illinois.

While a graduate student he met and married Linda Kopp Thomas in 1963. To this union one child, David Bryce Thomas, was born in 1966. Upon completion of his graduate studies he moved with his family to Amherst, Massachusetts in 1967 to take up a position as a faculty member in Electrical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Thomas became a citizen of the United States in 1971. He moved to Austin, Texas in 1974, studied journalism at the University of Texas, and wrote as an entertainment writer for the Daily Texas in 1975 and 1976. In 1977 he was hired as a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas and continued in the position until his retirement in 2001. Since retirement he has participated as a volunteer at several Manor elementary schools, as a pianist performing for residents of several nursing homes in Elgin and Taylor, Texas and as a reader to record books on audio for the Texas School for the Blind. Dr. Thomas was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for his community service.

Preceding him in death are his parents and his older brother, Bryan. Survivors include his sisters, Margot Thomas Goldburg and Jan Thomas Daly of Australia; son, David Thomas and grandchildren, Kyra and Amy Thomas of Albuquerque, NM; ex-wife Linda Koop and his beloved nieces of Australia. He will be fondly remembered by family, friends, and former students.

My family has been blessed by knowing and loving Ian since 1995 when we met him on Nez Perce Trace in Manor, Texas. We easily became friends as he invited us to bring our 3 children to swim in his pool. These casual meetings blossomed into a closer relationship when he began joining our extended family for holidays, birthdays, graduations, and many impromptu gatherings at "the farm". Ian blended in beautifully and became an adopted gift from God to all 37 of us. Ian enjoyed contributing and oftentimes would bring pie and berries. He brought knowledge and insight to our discussions. He loved learning. He shared our joy of music, playing Christmas carols on the piano at our annual Christmas Eve services. Ian was a humble, quiet man who could enlighten any conversation with interest and intelligence. He was an excellent listener and would wait until just the right moment to chime in. He knew something about almost any subject and shared many touching stories. He told us of when he came to the United States, of the great family and friends he had, of his wonderful students and of the many phone conversations he has with his dear sisters and relatives in Australia. His dedication and faithfulness will forever be missed.

Ian loved God, trusted in Jesus and yearned for Heaven. He told many of us on his day of life, "I'll see you on the other side." God answered his prayers and called him home on that same day!

We will be celebrating Ian with love on

Friday, April 28

2:00 pm

Ian's house

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Thomas family.