John Randall Thomas

Arlington, John Randall Thomas, Sr, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2020 after a long and blessed life. John was born in Hoxie, Arkansas on February 11, 1933 the youngest child of Earl and Frankie Thomas. The family soon moved to Fort Worth, Texas where John grew up. He graduated from Paschal High School in 1951 where he was active in sports playing basketball and baseball and also served as a varsity cheerleader for the Paschal Panthers. John went on to attend Texas Christian University graduating in 1956 with a degree in Business Administration. While at TCU he was a member of SAE fraternity and the ROTC. Upon graduation he joined the US Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant and was stationed in Waco, TX at James Connelly AFB and in Harlingen, TX at HAFB where he received training as a radar systems specialist. Upon completion of his flight training he was assigned to the 75th Flying Tigers Interceptor Squadron in Presque isle, Maine. It wasn't long after arriving in Maine that he met his future wife, Elaine Lynch. They were married June 26, 1958. The following year his squadron was scheduled to transfer to Dow AFB, Bangor, Maine. John was assigned the duty of closing the base at PI. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1959 John and Elaine moved back to Texas. After returning to Fort Worth, John and his older brother Tim founded their business, Thomas Electronics, Inc. They were honored with great success in this business venture that also served to honor many other individuals and families as well. Thomas Electronics provided the sound, security, telephone and nurse call systems to many businesses, hospitals, schools, stadiums and museums in the DFW area. They also worked with NASA on the Saturn Rocket project. John and Elaine were blessed with three children and six grandchildren. They had a wonderful marriage of 62 years and enjoyed most their time spent with family both in Texas and Maine. John and Elaine loved to travel and took many wonderful trips all over the world with friends and family. In 1982 they purchased a summer home (“camp”) in Presque Isle, Maine on Echo Lake where they enjoyed 38 consecutive summers. John and Elaine were devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas since 1977 and to the many wonderful friends in their ABC Sunday school class. John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Tim Thomas Sr., sister Patsy Ann Staples (and best friend and brother-in-law, Monroe Staples), brother David Thomas and his beloved and devoted dog, Lucky. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, children, John R Thomas Jr., Elizabeth Lorraine Maurer (Joe Ellis), and Jennifer Elaine Koch (and husband Robby), six grandchildren, Andrew and Seth Thomas, Heidi and Nathan Maurer, Makenzie and Katlynn Koch, brother Mark Thomas (and wife Vicki) of Birmingham, Ala., sister Charlotte Wilson (and husband Jerry), of Springfield, Mo., and many nieces and nephews. John was a wonderful example to his family of a life well lived by a man of integrity. He will forever be in our hearts and will be greatly missed until the day we are together again. A special thank you to all of the devoted caregivers and staff at Meadowbrook Memory Care, Margaret, Starlight, Cheryl and the many others. A memorial service will be held at Wade Funeral Home, 4140 W Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, TX 76013 on Wednesday, July 8 at 2 PM. John will be inurned at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in a private ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1200 W Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76013; Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76103; Alzheimer's Association of North Central Texas, Tribute gifts can be made online or mailed to: 2630 West Fwy # 100, Fort Worth, TX 76102.