Elmoe Thomas

Elmoe Thomas, 88, of Whitney passed away on February 2, 2016, at a local nursing home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Whitney, with Rev. Rusty Penney and Rev. Eddie Booth officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Garden of Memory near Hillsboro. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 5, at the funeral home.

Elmoe was born on September 7, 1927, in the Steiner Community of Hill County to Sidney and Maudie (Moore) Thomas. He attended schools in Whitney and then went to work on the oil rigs in Houston where he met his wife, Joann, at the B&B Café in Pasadena. Although she turned down his first offers to buy her burgers, he finally won her heart and they were married eight months later on May 28, 1949. After marriage, they moved to Whitney, later to Dallas and then to Irving in 1959. There he worked for Bell Helicopter for a few years as a machinist before opening his own machine shop, Thomas Machine Shop, which he operated for almost 20 years. They returned to Whitney in the late 90's.

An avid fisherman, he enjoyed fishing whether he caught anything or not. He also enjoyed attending car shows with his family. While not a big hunter, he did enjoy shooting his guns with his friends.

Elmoe served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He and his sons were members of the Shelby Cobra Association of Texas and they enjoyed attending car shows together. He was a dedicated member of Prairie Valley Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 63 years, Joann; his parents; a son, Johnny Thomas; a great-grandson, Rusty Hicks; and brothers, Rayburn and Tommy Thomas.

Survivors include his children, Richard Thomas and wife, Chere, of Whitney and Kenneth Thomas of Farmers Branch; a grandson, Donnie Thomas and wife, Colean, of Waxahachie and a granddaughter Rachel Nieting and husband, Craig, of Mansfield; two great-granddaughters, Kristen and Marlee Hicks of Mansfield; two brothers, Bill Thomas and Jackie Thomas and wife, Sarah, of Whitney; four sisters, Ladean Hill of Whitney, Helen Wagner of Euless, Jimmie Ashley of Whitney and Mary Sue Brooks and husband, Welborn, of Whitney; and two sisters-in-law, Sue Thomas and Nelda Thomas, both of Whitney.

Viewing and Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Friday, February 5, 2016
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX 76692

Funeral Service

1:00 PM ,Saturday, February 6, 2016
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX 76692

Burial

Saturday, February 6, 2016
Hillcrest Garden of Memory
3838 State Highway 22 Hillsboro, TX 76645