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In Memory of
Dr. Benjamin Watkins
Thomas
Thomas
1926 - 2016
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Obituary for Dr. Benjamin Watkins Thomas
Dr. Benjamin Watkins Thomas passed away on August 9, 2016, at the proud age of 90. He was faithful to his church, family, friends, community, Rotary Club, dental practice and country.
Church. He was deeply committed to his church; he taught The Challengers Adult Sunday School Class for 45 years.
Family. Dr. Thomas was proceeded in death by his beloved mother and father, Lennie Mae and Halie Edward Thomas; his two older sisters, Olivia Jeanne and Laura Belle; his younger brother, Edward Lee. He is survived by his loving wife (and best friend) of 68 years, Bobbie Thomas; two much-loved children, Jan and Bill; two prized grandchildren, Mindy and Mark; five wonderful great-grandchildren, Mark, Jordan, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Ryan; nephew Tom W. Timmons and niece Laura Hulbert.
Friends. He loved his friends, traveling with Gerald Stavely, meeting with his coffee shop group and XVIP Dinner Club. His friends brought riches beyond words and value to his life.
Community. He worked tirelessly for the Irving community he loved so much. He served as Chairman of the Irving Chamber of Commerce, 1973 – 1974; served on the Irving Community Hospital Board of Trustees, 1979 – 1988; served on the Irving School District Board of Trustees, 1989 – 1995; served as President of the Irving T.I.F. Board, 1999 – 2005; received, in tandem with his wife, Bobbie, the Irving Academy of Community Services Lars Ehnebuske Service Award, 2000; served as a member of Irving Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Board, 2000 – 2011. He was a huge proponent of education throughout his life and he was proud of the fact that Irving provided wonderful facilities of learning; he encouraged everyone to take advantage of North Lake College, the University of Dallas and the Irving Library.
Irving Rotary Club. Past President Irving Rotary Club, 1958 – 1959. Rotarian of the Year, 1980. Completed 60 years of perfect attendance. His unwavering involvement in the Rotary Club was invaluable to his aspirations to always give back to his beloved community.
Dental Practice. He loved being a dentist (he knew at the age of eight that he wanted to be a dentist!) and deeply treasured his patients during his 40 years of practice; received the International Relations Award for Service to the People of Mexico, 1982 (15 dental missionary visits).
Country. Dr. Thomas loved his country. He served in the U.S. Army as OCS Second Lieutenant (tanks), 1944 – 1946; Army occupation, Munich, Germany, 1946; active reserve, 1946 – 1953. He developed a deep love and respect for Germany and her people during his time in the Army and that love continued throughout his lifetime.
This man of faith lived a good and honorable life. He will be profoundly missed.
Visitation will be held at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home Friday, August 12, 2016 between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, August 13, 2016 at First Christian Church in Irving.
Church. He was deeply committed to his church; he taught The Challengers Adult Sunday School Class for 45 years.
Family. Dr. Thomas was proceeded in death by his beloved mother and father, Lennie Mae and Halie Edward Thomas; his two older sisters, Olivia Jeanne and Laura Belle; his younger brother, Edward Lee. He is survived by his loving wife (and best friend) of 68 years, Bobbie Thomas; two much-loved children, Jan and Bill; two prized grandchildren, Mindy and Mark; five wonderful great-grandchildren, Mark, Jordan, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Ryan; nephew Tom W. Timmons and niece Laura Hulbert.
Friends. He loved his friends, traveling with Gerald Stavely, meeting with his coffee shop group and XVIP Dinner Club. His friends brought riches beyond words and value to his life.
Community. He worked tirelessly for the Irving community he loved so much. He served as Chairman of the Irving Chamber of Commerce, 1973 – 1974; served on the Irving Community Hospital Board of Trustees, 1979 – 1988; served on the Irving School District Board of Trustees, 1989 – 1995; served as President of the Irving T.I.F. Board, 1999 – 2005; received, in tandem with his wife, Bobbie, the Irving Academy of Community Services Lars Ehnebuske Service Award, 2000; served as a member of Irving Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Board, 2000 – 2011. He was a huge proponent of education throughout his life and he was proud of the fact that Irving provided wonderful facilities of learning; he encouraged everyone to take advantage of North Lake College, the University of Dallas and the Irving Library.
Irving Rotary Club. Past President Irving Rotary Club, 1958 – 1959. Rotarian of the Year, 1980. Completed 60 years of perfect attendance. His unwavering involvement in the Rotary Club was invaluable to his aspirations to always give back to his beloved community.
Dental Practice. He loved being a dentist (he knew at the age of eight that he wanted to be a dentist!) and deeply treasured his patients during his 40 years of practice; received the International Relations Award for Service to the People of Mexico, 1982 (15 dental missionary visits).
Country. Dr. Thomas loved his country. He served in the U.S. Army as OCS Second Lieutenant (tanks), 1944 – 1946; Army occupation, Munich, Germany, 1946; active reserve, 1946 – 1953. He developed a deep love and respect for Germany and her people during his time in the Army and that love continued throughout his lifetime.
This man of faith lived a good and honorable life. He will be profoundly missed.
Visitation will be held at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home Friday, August 12, 2016 between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, August 13, 2016 at First Christian Church in Irving.
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