John Marshall Thomas

Funeral services for John Marshall Thomas, 92, of Tool, Texas will be held Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Steve Killam officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mr. Thomas was born December 19, 1920 in Wharton, Texas, the son of John Campbell Thomas and Lena Bell (Moore) Thomas. He died Saturday, December 22, 2012 at St. Joseph Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

He graduated from Rio Hondo High School in Rio Hondo, Texas. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941, serving in Europe for four years during World War II. He flew 53 bombing missions over Nazi occupied countries. He advanced to the rank of T-Sergeant. He served as a side gunner and aerial photographer for Army Intelligence. He was discharged in 1945 with the Distinguished Service Medal and a Presidential Citation for completion of vital bombing missions against overwhelming enemy opposition. After returning from the war, he married Catherine Fay Woods of Newton, Texas and they had three children, Marsha Lynn, Martha Kay, and Paul Marshall.

His career was in the oil business, and he began that career working for Richardson and Bass. He continued as a driller for the Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company (ODECO) out of New Orleans, Louisiana in the early days of off-shore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1968 he moved to London to work for Rimrock Tidelands in the North Sea and later was employed by Chevron Oil Company International as a drilling coordinator. His responsibilities were to move large deep water drilling rigs throughout the world. He moved frequently during his career, residing in Newton, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, England, Scotland, Singapore, Trinidad, South Africa, Australia, and Iran.

His second marriage was to Marguerite Aman, and they had two children, Marsha Lena, and Justin Marshall. In 1989 he retired from Chevron and moved back to Texas, living in the Houston area and in the town of Tool, Texas. His hobbies included deepwater fishing and raising Quarter horses, and he loved to watch sports, especially football. He also enjoyed travel, playing cards, and following politics and the stock market. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. He resided recently at the Elmbrook Suites in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 2009, while watching a Billy Graham telecast, he called the number shown on the television for the Billy Graham Network and accepted Jesus as his Personal Savior.

He is survived by his children, Marsha Thomas Lieux and her husband Russell of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Martha Kay Thomas Broussard also of Baton Rouge, Paul Marshall Thomas and his wife Darlene of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and Marsha Lena Thomas and Justin Marshall Thomas of Phoenix, Arizona. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Michael and David Maraist of Lafayette, Louisiana, Julie Maraist Vagi of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jennifer Thomas of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Leslie and Jason Levert, and Miles and Ashley Thomas of Phoenix, Arizona. His great-grandchildren include Ethan and Ellie Vagi and Amélie Maraist. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews of whom he was very fond.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Lena Thomas, his sisters, Eva, Grace, Claudia Bell, and Martha, and his brothers, Lee Roy, Benny, Robert, and Billy Hugh, and by his first wife, Catherine Fay Woods.

Pallbearers will be members of the Patriot Guard Riders.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.