Lewis Thomas

Lewis Wayne Thomas, age 73, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Nowata, OK. He and Tina Foshee Thomas were married on January 18, 2009. They shared 11 plus years together. He was married previously to Elizabeth Ann Cline for 36 years until her death in 2006.

Lewis was born to Frank and Judith Thomas on May of 1947, in Bartlesville, OK. He graduated from Bartlesville High School in May of 1965 and joined the U.S. Navy. In January of 1966, he was deployed to Vietnam as part of the U.S. Navy Seabees Unit for one year and spent the last three enlisted years in Spain, serving until December of 1969. Later on, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy for another four years in1980. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he went to work at Red River Army Depot, near Texarkana, TX, where he worked until his retirement in 2006.

Lewis enjoyed aviation, astronomy, tinkering with any kind of classic car, and attending classic and muscle car shows.  Lewis was a faithful servant to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a devoted and loving husband, father and Pawpaw. He loved his family more than anything, and didn’t mind telling everyone even if they didn’t ask. He was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church in Idabel.                

Lewis was a proud and avid supporter of all branches of the U.S. Military. He loved his country and respected the American Flag. He was a member of the American Legion Post #8 in Idabel for many years, having held various officer positions. Lewis served on the McCurtain County Veteran’s Museum Board for the past several years, and graciously volunteered his services by giving guided tours when it was his turn to work. Lewis and his wife, former Mayor Tina Foshee-Thomas, have also been regular supporters of the Museum of the Red River. Lewis also served as an Americorps Vista Volunteer from 2012 until 2016 for Idabel MainStreet. Lewis was a licensed Ham Radio operator and a member of the McCurtain County Ham Radio Club. He enjoyed his Tuesday evening radio net check-in with with fellow ham club members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Liz, sister, Cheryl Jean Thomas-Kilburn and brother-in-law Ron Kilburn; son-in-law Heath Graf, and grandson, Braley Lake Thomas.

Lewis leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Tina Foshee-Thomas of the home, his daughter and son-in-law, Brandi and James Veit of Bartlesville, OK, and their children, Josh, Andrew, Lexi, Sarah, Matthew, Erin, Jonah, Carys, Jacob, Sophia and Tony; his son and daughter-in-law, Cory and Melissa Thomas of Maud, TX, and their children, Hunter, Rip and Rylan; adopted son and daughter-in-law Tony and Siglenda Kilburn of Holly Creek, OK, and their children, CheyAnn and Reed; nephew Dustin Taylor of Texarkana, TX; Father-in-law and mother-in-law, J.W. and Frankie Foshee of Idabel; Brother-in-law Marty Foshee and wife Belinda of Broken Bow; sister-in-law Angie Lambert and Larry of Goodwater; brother-in-law R.D. Cline and wife Hilda of Amory, MS;
sister-in-law, Debbie McDaniel and Curtis of Smithville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, at Trinity Baptist Church in Idabel, OK, with interment following at Denison Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 2, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  

If interested in making a charitable donation in Lewis’s name, please consider making your donation to the McCurtain County Veteran’s Museum.

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