Jeff Thomas

Jeff Edward Thomas entered this world kicking and screaming, August 8, 1951 at Hendricks Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Texas. His parents Oliver Henry and Mary Helen Thomas, waited 18 years for their first son to arrive. With two older sisters he was doted over daily. His early years were spent as the son of a share cropper in West Texas. Jeff started elementary school in Anson, Texas and when he was in the 2nd grade his parents moved to Big Spring, Texas where his love for baseball grew to become a life time love. He excelled at Big Spring High School, and would go on to graduate early during his Senior year. Jeff would then continue his education at Howard Junior College and then Houston Community College. He could have had a chance to continue his baseball career at the next level, but life offers many twists and turns along the way.

In 1982, Bastrop, TX became Jeff's home. He moved here with Josh when he was a year old and would have a daughter, Chelsea, in 1986. He held many jobs through the years, but in 1997 he began his true career at Bastrop ISD as a member of the athletic grounds team and would later become Grounds Manager, retiring in 2016.

Jeff's life was full of many hobbies, adventures, risks and rewards. He chased Josh all over the country living their baseball dream together and practicing with Chelsea for softball. Jeff would eventually get the chance to propose and marry his "Wildflower," Kathy Thomas. They got married in January of 2004 and were inseparable from that moment on. This marriage would blend two families together. Jeff gained two step-sons in Shawn and Jonathan Juarez. His hunting and love for wildlife would begin at this point. He spent countless hours feeding and watching the deer from the back porch, shooting at targets in the bottom fields of their river-front property, and sharing his hunting adventures with his family.

In 2006, Jeff earned the title of "Paw Paw" when his first grandson, Mason, was born. Jeff would not know, but 8 other grandchildren would follow. He loved being a grandfather and cherished every moment with Mason, Jackson, Avery, Dylan, Doss, Ada, Hollis, Emmerson and Ellason.

Jeff is survived by his loving wife Kathy Thomas who stayed by his side continually for months during his recent illness, his son Josh Thomas and wife Jenna from Bastrop, daughter Chelsea Thomas from Buda, step sons Shawn Juarez and wife Maria, and Jonathan "Sugie" Juarez and wife Connie all from Bastrop, nine grandchildren Mason 10, Jackson 8, Avery 7, Dylan 4, Doss 4, Ada 2, Hollis 1 and Emmerson and Ellason 1, Sister's Lavada Mills and husband Emmett from Denver City, TX , Kathy Mayfield from Bryan, TX, Brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kirk and Lisa Smith, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

Jeff entered into eternal rest Tuesday, June 20, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents Oliver "O.H." and Mary Helen Thomas, and his in-laws Doug and Lou Smith.

Donations and contributions can be made in Jeff's honor to MD Anderson Cancer Center or Bastrop High School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The family would like to thank MD Anderson Cancer Center for their excellent care and compassion during his fight with cancer.