Buford R. Thomas, age 77 of Leroy, passed away Sunday evening, June 29, 1997 at his residence.
A farewell celebration for friends and family was at his residence in Leroy at 7 p.m., July 2.
Mr. Thomas was born March 6, 1920 in Waco, the son of James and Addie Thomas. He was a graduate of West High School. He married Doris M. Thompson on October 11, 1941 in Waco.
He was a military officer in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years, serving in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired at the rank of chief warrant officer, in September, 1958. He was also an artist, mechanic, welder, and had a column in The West News for several years. He was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows in Leroy, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Thomas, who died in 1977.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Thomas of Leroy; four sons, James Robert Thomas of Piketon, Ohio, Kerry Lee Thomas and Jon L. Thomas, both of Fairfax, Virginia, and Dennis A. Thomas of Robinson; a daughter, Cheryl Clemons of Waco; 15 grandchildren (and one due later this year); two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Aderhold Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West News columnist dies at Leroy residence
Buford R. Thomas, a columnist for The West News, died this past Sunday at his Leroy residence.
The 77 year-old Mr. Thomas was a man of many talents and careers and it was from this vast pool of experience and knowledge that he used in his weekly column found on page two of The West News.
His columns touched on a wide spectrum of subjects stemming from his days growing up as a youth in the Leroy community to his over 30 years in the military and even delving into his musical, mechanical and artistic sides.
Following his graduation from West High School, the young Thomas spent some time riding the rails, hopping freights and taking on an almost hobo-like existence. Enlisting in the Army's Horse Cavalry during the depression era, he served as a drill instructor. When World War II began to escalate, he served in the European Theatre and was cited for bravery, receiving the Bronze Star. He was wounded in action, but did not receive the Purple Heart because he did not report his wounds for fear they would ship him away from his unit. "He was always one for loyalty, camaraderie and friendship," his son Jon would say later.
He served in the Korean War, a time which Jon said he talked little of, and he retired from the Air Force in 1968 with the rank as Chief Warrant Officer.
Described as a man of many passions, Mr. Thomas worked for many years as a mechanic, working on tractors, cars and even welding for the public. People knew him as a man who could fix anything.
He took up painting and the walls in his home and that of his children serve as a gallery for his landscape renditions.
Along with his column writing for The West News, he also wrote poetry and was a musician. He played the fiddle during the depression era, playing for house dances with other local musicians, including his twin brother, Clifford. Their final song of the night was always "Don't Fence Me In" and it became kind of a theme song for the group.
Family also played an important part of his life as he married his childhood sweetheart, Doris Thompson, on Oct. 11, 1941. They had four sons, James, Kerry, Jon and Dennis and a daughter Cheryl. He also is survived by 15 grandchildren with another on the way, and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of any memorials, Mr. Thomas simply asked for people to do a good deed for someone less fortunate.
A Last Farewell, by B.R. Thomas
It is my wish that neither ostentatious ceremony nor devout observance be held in connection with this perfectly normal event. Disposition of my remains is to be by direct cremation in order to expedite the return of my earthly being to the basic elements of which it is composed.
Neither sympathy nor condolences are necessary, as this is not an unexpected catastrophe, but simply the workings of a benevolent Nature that decrees "All that is born must die."
To those friends who would remember me, I ask only that you remember to do some kind deed for someone less fortunate than yourself.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 1
A farewell celebration for friends and family was at his residence in Leroy at 7 p.m., July 2.
Mr. Thomas was born March 6, 1920 in Waco, the son of James and Addie Thomas. He was a graduate of West High School. He married Doris M. Thompson on October 11, 1941 in Waco.
He was a military officer in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years, serving in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired at the rank of chief warrant officer, in September, 1958. He was also an artist, mechanic, welder, and had a column in The West News for several years. He was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows in Leroy, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Thomas, who died in 1977.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Thomas of Leroy; four sons, James Robert Thomas of Piketon, Ohio, Kerry Lee Thomas and Jon L. Thomas, both of Fairfax, Virginia, and Dennis A. Thomas of Robinson; a daughter, Cheryl Clemons of Waco; 15 grandchildren (and one due later this year); two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Aderhold Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West News columnist dies at Leroy residence
Buford R. Thomas, a columnist for The West News, died this past Sunday at his Leroy residence.
The 77 year-old Mr. Thomas was a man of many talents and careers and it was from this vast pool of experience and knowledge that he used in his weekly column found on page two of The West News.
His columns touched on a wide spectrum of subjects stemming from his days growing up as a youth in the Leroy community to his over 30 years in the military and even delving into his musical, mechanical and artistic sides.
Following his graduation from West High School, the young Thomas spent some time riding the rails, hopping freights and taking on an almost hobo-like existence. Enlisting in the Army's Horse Cavalry during the depression era, he served as a drill instructor. When World War II began to escalate, he served in the European Theatre and was cited for bravery, receiving the Bronze Star. He was wounded in action, but did not receive the Purple Heart because he did not report his wounds for fear they would ship him away from his unit. "He was always one for loyalty, camaraderie and friendship," his son Jon would say later.
He served in the Korean War, a time which Jon said he talked little of, and he retired from the Air Force in 1968 with the rank as Chief Warrant Officer.
Described as a man of many passions, Mr. Thomas worked for many years as a mechanic, working on tractors, cars and even welding for the public. People knew him as a man who could fix anything.
He took up painting and the walls in his home and that of his children serve as a gallery for his landscape renditions.
Along with his column writing for The West News, he also wrote poetry and was a musician. He played the fiddle during the depression era, playing for house dances with other local musicians, including his twin brother, Clifford. Their final song of the night was always "Don't Fence Me In" and it became kind of a theme song for the group.
Family also played an important part of his life as he married his childhood sweetheart, Doris Thompson, on Oct. 11, 1941. They had four sons, James, Kerry, Jon and Dennis and a daughter Cheryl. He also is survived by 15 grandchildren with another on the way, and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of any memorials, Mr. Thomas simply asked for people to do a good deed for someone less fortunate.
A Last Farewell, by B.R. Thomas
It is my wish that neither ostentatious ceremony nor devout observance be held in connection with this perfectly normal event. Disposition of my remains is to be by direct cremation in order to expedite the return of my earthly being to the basic elements of which it is composed.
Neither sympathy nor condolences are necessary, as this is not an unexpected catastrophe, but simply the workings of a benevolent Nature that decrees "All that is born must die."
To those friends who would remember me, I ask only that you remember to do some kind deed for someone less fortunate than yourself.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 1
Buford R. Thomas, age 77 of Leroy, passed away Sunday evening, June 29, 1997 at his residence.
A farewell celebration for friends and family was at his residence in Leroy at 7 p.m., July 2.
Mr. Thomas was born March 6, 1920 in Waco, the son of James and Addie Thomas. He was a graduate of West High School. He married Doris M. Thompson on October 11, 1941 in Waco.
He was a military officer in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years, serving in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired at the rank of chief warrant officer, in September, 1958. He was also an artist, mechanic, welder, and had a column in The West News for several years. He was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows in Leroy, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Thomas, who died in 1977.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Thomas of Leroy; four sons, James Robert Thomas of Piketon, Ohio, Kerry Lee Thomas and Jon L. Thomas, both of Fairfax, Virginia, and Dennis A. Thomas of Robinson; a daughter, Cheryl Clemons of Waco; 15 grandchildren (and one due later this year); two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Aderhold Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West News columnist dies at Leroy residence
Buford R. Thomas, a columnist for The West News, died this past Sunday at his Leroy residence.
The 77 year-old Mr. Thomas was a man of many talents and careers and it was from this vast pool of experience and knowledge that he used in his weekly column found on page two of The West News.
His columns touched on a wide spectrum of subjects stemming from his days growing up as a youth in the Leroy community to his over 30 years in the military and even delving into his musical, mechanical and artistic sides.
Following his graduation from West High School, the young Thomas spent some time riding the rails, hopping freights and taking on an almost hobo-like existence. Enlisting in the Army's Horse Cavalry during the depression era, he served as a drill instructor. When World War II began to escalate, he served in the European Theatre and was cited for bravery, receiving the Bronze Star. He was wounded in action, but did not receive the Purple Heart because he did not report his wounds for fear they would ship him away from his unit. "He was always one for loyalty, camaraderie and friendship," his son Jon would say later.
He served in the Korean War, a time which Jon said he talked little of, and he retired from the Air Force in 1968 with the rank as Chief Warrant Officer.
Described as a man of many passions, Mr. Thomas worked for many years as a mechanic, working on tractors, cars and even welding for the public. People knew him as a man who could fix anything.
He took up painting and the walls in his home and that of his children serve as a gallery for his landscape renditions.
Along with his column writing for The West News, he also wrote poetry and was a musician. He played the fiddle during the depression era, playing for house dances with other local musicians, including his twin brother, Clifford. Their final song of the night was always "Don't Fence Me In" and it became kind of a theme song for the group.
Family also played an important part of his life as he married his childhood sweetheart, Doris Thompson, on Oct. 11, 1941. They had four sons, James, Kerry, Jon and Dennis and a daughter Cheryl. He also is survived by 15 grandchildren with another on the way, and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of any memorials, Mr. Thomas simply asked for people to do a good deed for someone less fortunate.
A Last Farewell, by B.R. Thomas
It is my wish that neither ostentatious ceremony nor devout observance be held in connection with this perfectly normal event. Disposition of my remains is to be by direct cremation in order to expedite the return of my earthly being to the basic elements of which it is composed.
Neither sympathy nor condolences are necessary, as this is not an unexpected catastrophe, but simply the workings of a benevolent Nature that decrees "All that is born must die."
To those friends who would remember me, I ask only that you remember to do some kind deed for someone less fortunate than yourself.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 1
A farewell celebration for friends and family was at his residence in Leroy at 7 p.m., July 2.
Mr. Thomas was born March 6, 1920 in Waco, the son of James and Addie Thomas. He was a graduate of West High School. He married Doris M. Thompson on October 11, 1941 in Waco.
He was a military officer in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years, serving in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired at the rank of chief warrant officer, in September, 1958. He was also an artist, mechanic, welder, and had a column in The West News for several years. He was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows in Leroy, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Thomas, who died in 1977.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Thomas of Leroy; four sons, James Robert Thomas of Piketon, Ohio, Kerry Lee Thomas and Jon L. Thomas, both of Fairfax, Virginia, and Dennis A. Thomas of Robinson; a daughter, Cheryl Clemons of Waco; 15 grandchildren (and one due later this year); two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Aderhold Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
West News columnist dies at Leroy residence
Buford R. Thomas, a columnist for The West News, died this past Sunday at his Leroy residence.
The 77 year-old Mr. Thomas was a man of many talents and careers and it was from this vast pool of experience and knowledge that he used in his weekly column found on page two of The West News.
His columns touched on a wide spectrum of subjects stemming from his days growing up as a youth in the Leroy community to his over 30 years in the military and even delving into his musical, mechanical and artistic sides.
Following his graduation from West High School, the young Thomas spent some time riding the rails, hopping freights and taking on an almost hobo-like existence. Enlisting in the Army's Horse Cavalry during the depression era, he served as a drill instructor. When World War II began to escalate, he served in the European Theatre and was cited for bravery, receiving the Bronze Star. He was wounded in action, but did not receive the Purple Heart because he did not report his wounds for fear they would ship him away from his unit. "He was always one for loyalty, camaraderie and friendship," his son Jon would say later.
He served in the Korean War, a time which Jon said he talked little of, and he retired from the Air Force in 1968 with the rank as Chief Warrant Officer.
Described as a man of many passions, Mr. Thomas worked for many years as a mechanic, working on tractors, cars and even welding for the public. People knew him as a man who could fix anything.
He took up painting and the walls in his home and that of his children serve as a gallery for his landscape renditions.
Along with his column writing for The West News, he also wrote poetry and was a musician. He played the fiddle during the depression era, playing for house dances with other local musicians, including his twin brother, Clifford. Their final song of the night was always "Don't Fence Me In" and it became kind of a theme song for the group.
Family also played an important part of his life as he married his childhood sweetheart, Doris Thompson, on Oct. 11, 1941. They had four sons, James, Kerry, Jon and Dennis and a daughter Cheryl. He also is survived by 15 grandchildren with another on the way, and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of any memorials, Mr. Thomas simply asked for people to do a good deed for someone less fortunate.
A Last Farewell, by B.R. Thomas
It is my wish that neither ostentatious ceremony nor devout observance be held in connection with this perfectly normal event. Disposition of my remains is to be by direct cremation in order to expedite the return of my earthly being to the basic elements of which it is composed.
Neither sympathy nor condolences are necessary, as this is not an unexpected catastrophe, but simply the workings of a benevolent Nature that decrees "All that is born must die."
To those friends who would remember me, I ask only that you remember to do some kind deed for someone less fortunate than yourself.
The West News, West, Texas, Volume 107, No. 27, Ed. 1 – Thursday, July 3, 1997, page 1
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