Francis John Thomas, 97, of Kingwood formerly of Somerville, passed away, May 23, 2023, in Kingwood, Texas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Somerville, Texas, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Thaddeus Tabak as Celebrant.
A private interment will be held.
Francis was born January 27, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, to parents, Charles Thomas and Rose (Nettler) Thomas.
Francis married the love of his life, Josphine T. Winkler, on February 19, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri, and to this union were blessed Ronald, Dale, Gerard, William and Mary Colleen.
He was an account sales manager for many years and retired from Graybar Electric Company.
He served his country bravely in the United States Navy with the Pacific Submarine Fleet during WWII.
He was a member of and Past President of the American Legion Post #455, Knights of Columbus Council 10309 4th Degree, Past President of Shasta Bluebonnet RV Club, and former Rodeo Committee member.
He spearheaded and established a War Memorial in Somerville, taught Somerville students U.S. Flag etiquette and was once voted the friendliest person in Somerville.
He was an avid fisherman, world traveler, RVer, and a self-taught carpenter.
He was also a very devoted member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, where he was the financial council chairman, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan and Lector.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rose Thomas; one son, Dale W. Thomas; two brothers and sistersin- law, Charles Thomas and wife, Frances, Harry Thomas and wife, Sally; one sister, Agnes Thomas; and one brother-in-law, Lester Beheiter.
He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 74 years, Josephine T. Thomas of Somerville; sons, Ronald C. Thomas and wife, Ellen, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Gerald F. Thomas and wife, Nancy, of Mandeville, Louisiana, and William G. Thomas and wife, Linda, of Magnolia, Texas; daughter, Mary Colleen (Thomas) Lewis and husband, Jonathan, of Kingwood; 10 grandchildren, Justin, Joshua, James and Jesse Thomas, Brandon Thomas, Zachary, Cassidy Thomas, Russell Smith, Dale and Natalie Lewis; and four greatgrandchildren, Parker and Adelyn Thomas, Brooklyn and Aiden Smith; one sister, Rosemary Beheiter of St. Louis, Missouri; also by numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and a host of friends and church family.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be given to the American Legion Post 455 or charity of their choice. American Legion Post 455 P.O. Box 175, Somerville, Texas 77879-0175 Arrangements have been entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home. They invite you to visit their website at www. stricklandfuneralhomes. com and sign the online register book.