82R8075 MDM-D
By: Schwertner H.R. No. 530
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The passing of J. D. Thomas, Jr., of Georgetown on
August 23, 2010, at the age of 91, concluded a long and productive
life spent in service to others; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 30, 1919, to J. D. Thomas, Sr., and
Laura Belle Harrell Thomas, J. D. Thomas enjoyed the companionship
of six sisters and two brothers; he graduated from Georgetown High
School in 1937 and later attended Texas A&M University; he left
school during World War II to join the U.S. Navy and subsequently
saw duty overseas; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas received his discharge from the service
in 1945 and returned to Georgetown to help manage his family's
ranching interests; he went on to serve for a quarter-century as
assistant postmaster and postmaster of Georgetown; and
WHEREAS, J. D. Thomas contributed to his community as a
congregant of the Georgetown Church of Christ, where he was a deacon
and elder for 38 years and a song leader for 70 years; he also served
on the local school board, sat on the boards of trustees of the
Wallie Lock Charitable Foundation and the Hensel Memorial Camp
Foundation, and held membership in VFW Post No. 8587; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas was married first to Ruby Geraldine
Gassaway, who died in 1945; fortunate enough to find love a second
time, he wed Ruth Margaret LePori on July 14, 1946, and they shared
a richly rewarding union of 64 years; and
WHEREAS, A kind and considerate man, J. D. Thomas had an
immeasurable impact on the lives of many people, and he will be
remembered with deep affection and admiration by all who knew him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of J. D. Thomas, Jr.,
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Ruth Thomas; to his children and their spouses, Sherron
Thomas, Jerry and Janie Thomas, Janie and Lynn Harms, and Margaret
and Randy Christian; to his grandchildren and their spouses, Raven
and Jeff Green, Elizabeth Harms, Alicia and Matt Black, Anne-Marie
and Paul Goetsch, April Harms, and Peter and Philip Christian; to
his great-grandchildren, Maddie Green and Kiersten, Kate, and Eli
Goetsch; to his siblings and their spouses, Alice and Lee Turner,
Anne and Ralph Poteet, Martha Stone, and Bob and Margie Thomas; and
to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of J. D.
Thomas, Jr.