Earl L. Thomas

Born on September 9, 1926, in El Dorado, he was the son of Billy Jerry Thomas and Mary Lucy Huffman Thomas. He was a member of Parkview Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of El Dorado Masonic Lodge #13.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Deloris Lamb Thomas; a daughter, Billie Gail Thomas Wood; a son, Charles Jerry Thomas; two granddaughters, Kimberly Wood and Kelly Thomas. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Joe Bill Thomas, James Thomas, Hubert Thomas; and a sister, Virginia Thomas Johnson.

Earl worked for 21 years as an auto mechanic for George Morgan Pontiac and then served as the automotive instructor at Oil Belt Vocational-Technical School until his retirement.

The family would like to thank everyone for the visits, calls, cards, and food. Deep appreciation is extended to Dr. Scott Hardin.

Survivors include a son, Donald Thomas (Virginia) of Cabot; a daughter, Patricia Gibbs (Tommy) of Hot Springs; a daughter-in-law, Libby Thomas; a sister-in-law, Betty Jo Voorhies, both of El Dorado; four grandchildren, Nicholas Gibbs, Jason Thomas of Little Rock, Darrell Thomas of Conway, and Dr. Shelly Gibbs of Chattanooga, TN; and four great grandchildren. Earl is also survived by a brother, Charles Thomas of Cordova, TN; a sister, Mary Thomas McFarland of Texarkana; a niece Mary Jo Williams; and a great niece, Jenna Tucker (Jeff) of El Dorado.

Funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 24, at Parkview Baptist Church with Reverend Tommy Robertson officiating. Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Kimberly Wood Memorial Nursing Scholarship, The Kelly Elizabeth Thomas Memorial Scholarship, Union County Community Foundation, PO Box 148, El Dorado, AR 71731, or Parkview Baptist Church, 608 West Eighth St., El Dorado, AR 71730.

Earl’s legacy is reflective of Galatians 6:9 NKJV, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. He loved the Lord, his family, and was a joyful friend to many.