Woody Thomas

Woody Thomas, 78, of Whitney, passed away on September 10, 2016. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas. Mr. Thomas will lie in state on Wednesday, September 2016, from 8 AM - 5 PM at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney.

Woody was born on November 10, 1937, in Cooper, to John and Bessie (Jacks) Thomas. He joined the US Navy as a young man seeking adventure. He served aboard the destroyer, USS Rowan, spent a year on Adak Island in the Aleutians, and completed his tour of duty at the submarine base in Vallejo, California. He continued to be very proud of his service throughout his life.

After returning to civilian life, he spent several years building and racing modified stock cars in the Dallas area. He loved antique cars and was member of the North Texas Corvair Club for over 20 years.

Throughout his life, he loved to fish and in recent years he was a frequent visitor to Aquilla Lake, often bringing home a cooler full of crappie. Woodworking became a favorite hobby and he built everything from toys to furniture. While one of his most rewarding jobs was teaching auto mechanics in a trade school, he was most proud of the years in the Waco area during which he built a very successful business that enabled him to enjoy an early retirement.

Still an adventure seeker, he and his wife became full-time RVers for three years and traveled first to Alaska, and then in every direction in the country, making new friends along the way. All of his friends were so important to him, and they never seemed to tire of the stories he loved to tell.

He dearly loved his wife of 60 years, his children, his grandchildren and his great-granddaughter, and he loved and grieved the loss of Sophie, his Dachshund.

Survivors include his wife, Genie; daughter, Susan and son-in-law Christian; son Stephen; grandchildren, Carver and wife, Allanah, Ashley, Marcus; and great-granddaughter, Aliyah

Graveside Service

Thursday September 15, 2016 , 1:30 PM at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery