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Bryan Clyde Thomas, 43, left this mortal realm on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at his home in Bennington, Oklahoma, and now rests among the heavens and stars he admired so deeply.
Bryan was born on May 8, 1982, in Euless, Texas. He grew up in Cartwright, Oklahoma, and graduated from Colbert High School in 2000. In his youth and early adulthood, he was a member of the Colbert United Methodist Church and traveled on many youth mission trips across the country—building homes, feeding the homeless, and ministering God’s word to others.
An Eagle Scout, Bryan later graduated from Murray State College, earning his Associate of Science degree and being named Science Student of the Year in 2016. He was also a proud member of the NRA.
Bryan—known as BC to most and “Combustible Clyde” to a few (and rightly so)—was a collector of rocks, a lover of nature and animals, and a man who truly appreciated the outdoors. The love of his dogs probably outweighed his love of people most days. He enjoyed wildlife, hunting, fishing, and driving his tractor. Never afraid of hard work, he didn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
Bryan admired quiet mornings and solitude on his homestead and loved spending evenings gazing at the stars while reciting constellations. He had a passion for fire, pyrotechnics, and anything that went BOOM!—which explains the nickname, if you didn’t already know. Saturdays often found him watching Sooners football with Gege, his beloved mother-in-law.
He loved books filled with grand adventures, especially those that allowed him to learn and grow, and he frequently shared strange or fascinating facts he picked up from reading with friends and family. Bryan loved music of all kinds, had the best laugh, an unmatched sense of humor, and gave the biggest, warmest bear hugs. To know BC was to love him.
Above all else, Bryan’s greatest love was his family.
He leaves behind his wife of 19 years, Erin Michelle Thomas; four beautiful children: Kyler Dean Raines of Dallas, Texas; Jimanie Jasper Rain Thomas and fiancé Wade Minyard; Ezekiel Blaze Clyde Thomas and girlfriend Allie Boone; and Kopelynn Ace Thomas and girlfriend Chloe Wall, all of Bennington, Oklahoma; and his granddaughter, Ivory Clyde Minyard, also of Bennington. He was joyfully anticipating the arrival of his first grandson. Bryan is also survived by his parents, Terry Lee and Sammie Lynn Thomas of Bennington, Oklahoma; his brother, Jason Dean Thomas and wife Tabitha of Eureka Springs, Arkansas; his sister, Terri-Lynn Confer and husband JC of Colbert, Oklahoma; his paternal grandmother, Nelda Yvonne Thomas of Cartwright, Oklahoma; his God-parents, Bud and Vickie Wines of Cartwright; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many close friends. He also leaves behind his cherished parents-in-love, Kelly and Shelia McDonald of Bennington, Oklahoma, and Rick and Sherri Stair of Houston, Texas, as well as his brother-in-law, Wesley Stair of Mansfield, Texas.
Bryan was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, JC and Martha Blackmon; his paternal grandfather, Wallace Dean Thomas; his uncles Jerry, Kerry, and Kevin Thomas; and his cousin, Deidra Blackmon.
In a letter written to his wife, Bryan once shared words that reflect the depth of his love and the life he cherished:
“I wouldn’t change a thing—except maybe hold you closer, love you louder, and slow down time so I could stay in each moment just a little longer.”
Services will be held at Brown’s Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma. Family
Night is scheduled for Friday, February 6, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A Memorial Service will follow on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Officiated by Bro. Don Hyde Jr.
Services are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Services.
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