Bynum was born on May 4, 1933 in Lenoir, North Carolina to Clarence and Mable Bynum Thomas. He joined the United Stated Navy in 1950 and was shipped out of Seattle Washington on his first tour of duty. In 1957, he married former Mary Laurine Heard. Upon his return to the states he was a dedicated Government Security worker at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory for 25 years. He then moved with his beloved wife Mary from Amherst, New York to Austin, Texas and worked another 10 years at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas.
Initially Bynum moved forward with a strong hold of his past. He laid out his future carefully by buying a home and farmland in the countryside of Lancaster, New York. While living on the countryside, he enjoyed gardening, playing the lottery, barbecuing and spending time with his children. This warmth and compassion for his wife, family and the land continued as he later moved to the suburban lifestyle in Austin, Texas.
Bynum is survived by his wife Mary of 62 years. There were 14 children in his family, present today 1 sister, Sylvia Neely and 2 brothers, Coy Ed Thomas and Alvin Thomas.
Bynum and Mary have 6 children: Byron Thomas of Buffalo New York, Rose Thomas Ellis of Lockhart Texas, Brenda Thomson and her husband David of Phoenix Arizona, Robin Harold and her husband Michael of Rochester New York, Bynum Thomas II of Austin Texas and Richard Thomas of Phoenix Arizona.
In addition, they have 13 grandchildren: Nina Diggs and her husband Dervin of Gaithersburg Maryland, Christopher Thomas and his wife Alexandra of Dallas Texas, Christopher Ellis Jr of Lockhart Texas, Anastasia Harold of Phoenix Arizona, Olivia Jones and her husband DeMico of Annapolis Maryland, Michael Harold Jr of Germany, Nicholas Ellis of Austin Texas, John Thomas of Buffalo New York, Jade Thomas of Phoenix Arizona, Byal Thomas of Phoenix Arizona, Jasmine Thomas of Phoenix Arizona, Hunter Thomson of Phoenix Arizona and Blake Thomson of Phoenix Arizona; and 4 great-grandchildren: Keilah Thomas, Leelah Thomas, Keerah Thomas, and Eugene Thomas.
He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Mable Thomas; 8 sisters: Lorean Icard, Pauline Gibbs, Carolyn Icard, Valeria Jones, Elsie Michaux; Sylvia Neely, Brenda Thomas, Priscilla Suddruth Hartsoe; and 2 brothers: Harrison Thomas, Sylvester Thomas.
A celebration of Life Service will be held at the following location:
Place: Weed-Corley-Fish South Funeral Home
Location: 2620 S Congress Ave, Austin, Texas 78704.
Date: Thursday April 18
Time: 10 am.
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