Earl Thomas Jr.

Earl Thomas Jr. 83, of Center Ridge, Arkansas, a World War II Army Veteran, died suddenly on Sunday, August 1st, in Morrilton, Arkansas, of congestive heart failure. He was born March 9, 1927, in Terrell, Texas, and grew up and attended schools in Kaufman, Texas. During World War II he served his Country with distinction and honor as a U. S. Army medic caring for the sick and injured. After his service, he worked with Convair/General Dynamics in Ft. Worth, Texas, and Polaroid Company in Dallas, Texas. During the 70's, he moved to Arkansas to own and operate American Instant Photo and American Detector Sales in downtown Little Rock. On Memorial Day of this year, he made his much anticipated journey to the Kaufman County Veterans' Memorial Park to honor those who have served this Country and passed on before him, and to see and touch his name now inscribed on the World War II Memorial Wall. This proud veteran has now made his final journey home. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Maude McFarland Thomas, and stepmother, Hazel Thomas, who raised and loved him as her own son. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Ernest Thomas of Kaufman, and sister, Norma Thomas Weldon of Paris. Survivors include his daughter, Jan Thomas Hupfauer and her husband Neil of Dallas; granddaughter, Amy Lively and husband Bill Lively, Jr., of Tyler; granddaughter, Lisa Middleton and her husband Landon of San Antonio; grandson, Matthew Thomas and his wife Sondra of Mansfield; great-granddaughters, Lauren and Ellie Lyons of Tyler; great-grandsons, Nathan Thomas of Mansfield, Will and Tanner Lively of Tyler, and great-grandson-to-be, Baby Middleton of San Antonio; niece, Dixie Valentine and her husband Brian of Mesquite; niece, Sharon Rick and her husband Mike of Paris; niece, Betsy Griffith of Destin, Florida; nephew, Ricky Thomas of Kaufman; great niece, Amanda Rick of Paris; great nephews, Dustin and Coady Valentine of Mesquite, and Anthony, Andrew, and Adam Rick of Paris; sister-in-law, Joyce Thomas Davis of Terrell; and long-time friends and caregivers, Ken Albrecht and Earl Beeman of Center Ridge, Arkansas. His family extends an invitation to all area veterans and servicemen in honoring Earl's life, service and love for this Country. Visitation will be Friday, August 6, 2010 from 3-5 p.m. at Anderson Clayton Bros. Funeral Home Kaufman. Services with military honors will be held at 5 p.m., Friday, August 6, at Anderson Clayton Bros. Funeral Home in Kaufman. Burial will follow at Wilson Chapel Cemetery, Kaufman County. In his memory, any donations may be made to the Kaufman County Veterans' Memorial Park, c/o Ray Raymond, P.O. Box 1273, Kaufman, Texas 75142.