BARTLESVILLE EXAMINER-ENTERPRISE
BARTLESVILLE, WASHINGTON CO, OK
(permission granted)
Published in Examiner-Enterprise from Apr. 3 to May 2, 2018

James Carl "Tex" Thomas 86, of Wann, OK passed away Friday at 9:38 a.m. March 30, 2018.

Visitation for Carl will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Potts Chapel, 107 N. State St. Caney, KS.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 5, at Ridin' For The Brand Cowboy Church, 400 Main, Wann, OK., with Pastor Jimmy Harrington officiating.

Interment will be in the Wann Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Potts Chapel in Caney, KS.

Carl was born May 19, 1931 in Petersburg, TX. He was the eldest of three children. He married Betty June Smith on September 1, 1949 in Copan OK. They lived in Wann, OK. before moving to Thayer KS. for five years then returning to the family farm in Wann in 1960. They celebrated nearly 62 years of marriage, until Betty's death July 28, 2011.
Carl was a member of the Thayer Christian Church. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was discharged as Sergeant with Honorable Mention and medals in sharp shooting. He spent his married years as a truck driver and farmer and worked at ACME Foundry in Coffeyville, KS. During his employment with Becker Trucking in Coffeyville he was presented with awards, certificates, and trophies for safe driving. He enjoyed his farm life, working the land, building fence, raising various livestock, mostly cattle and horses, and telling truck driving stories.

Carl is survived by eight children; Carol Crites and husband Joe of Ruidoso, NM, Chalk Thomas of Port Charlotte, FL, Debbie Crites of Tulsa, OK, Patty Asher and husband Jon of Bartlesville, OK, Kevin Thomas and wife Janet of Copan, OK, James Thomas of Wann, OK, Linda Calahan and husband Jason of Wann, OK, Lisa Jones and husband Skip of Wann, OK, 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members including a cousin Mae Dike of Ben Wheeler, TX.

Carl was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his mother, Lola Thomas, his two brothers, Clayton Thomas, and Bill Woods, his granddaughter, Megan Thomas, and the man who raised him, Earl "Unc" King.

The Thomas Family would like to thank the Coffeyville Hospital staff, Dr. C, Comforting Hands Hospice staff, Forrest Manor Nursing Center staff and a special thanks to Destinee and Jessica.

Online condolences may be left at www.pottsfuneralhome.com.