Shawnee – Memorial service for retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Richard J Thomas, 70, who died Monday, December 7, 1992, at his home in Shawnee, will be at 3 PM Thursday at Resthaven Funeral Home. The Rev. Randy Roberts of Shawnee Christian Dhurch will officiate.
He was born December 5, 1922, at Wichita, Kansas, to James B. and Gladys C. Lichtenberger Thomas and educated in that area. He entered the US Air Force in 1942 at Attica, Kansas. On January 7, 1944, he was commissioned a second lieutenant, and served as a pilot, commander and staff officer, retiring from active duty on September 30, 1971. His last assignment was with Nuclear Activities Branch, Operations Division, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE). After retiring, he worked for New York Life Insurance Company, Chamber of Commerce of Enid, Dean Pearson Dodge Agency of Enid, University of Oklahoma Health and Sciences Center. He retired in 1984.
Thomas held a masters degree in business and ministration and membership in Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago, graduating in 1958.
He and Marilyn Elaine Crocker were married on March 13, 1942, at Attica.
On September 6, 1985, he married Londa Sue Wheeler Hill. His military awards include Legion of Merit and the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a member of India Shrine Temple, 32nd degree Scottish Rite and Master Mason with full membership in Kansas and Oklahoma, R. D. Ely Lodge 262 and Composite Lodge 107 AF & AM, Shawnee.
Surviving are his wife; one son, Steve of Bartlesville; one step son, Russell Hill of Shawnee; two brothers, Jack of Mulvane, Kansas, and Don of Corpus Christi, Texas; two sisters, Virginia Markstrom of Chehalis, Washington, and Mildred Larson of Venice, Florida; and two granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife.
Memorials may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE. 13th, Oklahoma City, okay 73101 – 9930.