Marston "Tommy" Thomas, Jr. passed away suddenly on June 6, 2002, due to complications resulting from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He was 60. He was married for 41 years to Ruby Hendrickson Thomas, whom he loved very much. He was the devoted father of three children: Kenneth Troy Thomas, Penny Leigh Thomas Strickland, and George Wesley Thomas. He was the proud grandfather of Payton, Lauren, and Leann Strickland; and Brooke and Jonathan Thomas. Upon his death, his oldest grandchild, Payton, wrote a poem to honor him. She was 14 at the time The poem was used during his funeral service and is as follows:

"Gampaw"

We always saw love in your eyes.
You listened to all of our laughs and cries.
Come sun or rain,
you were always there to ease the pain.
Why must you be taken from us?
We asked the Lord, "What is your rush?"
But he took you away.
He just couldn't wait another day.
He needed someone like you
looking over us, too.
With unconditional love
sent from above.
Now we know you're in a better place,
looking upon us with love and grace.
Gampaw, we know we will see you again.
Love always; Payton, Lauren & Leann.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this information about my father with you. He was an exceptional man and his family and friends miss him greatly. I would love to know what he was like when he attended school with all of you. My guess would be that he was quiet and kind, because that is how I remember him. If any of you would like to contact me regarding my father, please do so via email -

Sincerely,

Penny Thomas Strickland.