H.R. No. 1269
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Countless lives were touched by the inspirational
leadership of Bishop Arthur LaDell Thomas of Waco, who passed away
on November 11, 2014, at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, A. LaDell Thomas was born in Waco on August 13, 1933,
to Ira and Vinetta Thomas; answering the call to the ministry, he
accepted his first pastoral assignment at a rural church in
Caldwell; he felt drawn back to his hometown to continue his work in
1956, and he was later named superintendent for the Central Texas
Pentecostal District; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, A. LaDell Thomas was appointed and
consecrated a bishop in the Church of God in Christ; while he
devoted his life to spreading a message of faith, he was involved in
the civil rights struggle in segregated McLennan County; active in
the NAACP, he joined other African American leaders in pressing for
greater minority representation on the Waco City Council, and he
encouraged other citizens to take to the polls as a means of
ensuring that their voices were heard; and
WHEREAS, A former college instructor and school
administrator, Bishop Thomas believed fervently in the power of
education in securing a better life; he was the first African
American to serve on the board of the La Vega Independent School
District, and he personally counseled young people in his effort to
steer them on the right path; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman led Deliverance and Praise
Temple Church of God in Christ in Harker Heights as pastor for close
to a quarter-century; guiding a congregation that was primarily
composed of military personnel, he was admired for his wisdom and
for the humor that he often incorporated into his lessons; during
his long tenure, he was present for the deployments and homecomings
of numerous members of his flock, and he continued to correspond
with them while they were away in distant lands; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Thomas was the devoted husband of Elnora
Thomas, with whom he lovingly raised six children; as a father, he
stressed the need for perseverance in overcoming challenges in
life, and he knew the delight of seeing his children follow in his
footsteps to enter work in the ministry; when asked, he could always
be counted on to attend prayer services and events within his
community, and he was an empathetic listener who ensured that those
who came to him felt valued and appreciated; and
WHEREAS, Though he did not seek recognition for his
achievements, Bishop A. LaDell Thomas was renowned among his fellow
citizens as a dedicated spiritual leader and a dynamic force for
good; he will be greatly missed by all who walked with him along his
journey, and the compassion and insight that he shared will remain a
source of comfort and joy for many years to come; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Arthur LaDell
Thomas and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to
his wife, Elnora Massey Thomas; to his children, Bishop A. LaDell
Thomas Jr. and his wife, Tihara, Supervisor Joyce L. Campbell and
her husband, John, District Missionary Nora Kay Thomas,
Superintendent Vayne Thomas and his wife, Yolanda, Pastor Reginald
K. Thomas Sr. and his wife, Johnnie, and Superintendent Richard L.
Thomas Sr. and his wife, Lillian; to his grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; 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 A. LaDell
Thomas.
Anderson of McLennan
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1269 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 9, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House