CLYDE DONALD THOMAS

Clyde Donald Thomas, age 88, of Anderson, formerly of Pasadena, Texas, passed away June 8, 2022 at his home.

Clyde was born August 18, 1934 to John Thomas and Ethel Kirby Thomas on the family farm in Paint Creek, Texas. He grew up chopping cotton, pulling cotton, and milking cows. He was the star of the basketball, track, and sixman football teams at Paint Creek High, a school so small that at football half time, he would run to the locker room, don a drum major uniform, and lead the band onto the field for the show – according to Clyde.

As president of his church youth group, Clyde met Anne McFarlin, leader of the neighboring Haskell Methodist group, and the high school sweethearts married in 1952. The couple formed a lifelong partnership based on mutual respect and a shared work ethic. The young couple moved to Abilene, and Clyde attended McMurry College on a football scholarship. They later relocated to Denton where children, Julie and Steve, were born and Clyde completed his accounting degree at the University of North Texas. The lure of a ten cent per hour raise brought the young family to Pasadena where children Jennifer and Andrew were born, and Clyde worked as an accountant for Shell.

He later joined forces with Homer Longenecker to eventually form the accounting firm of Longenecker and Thomas where he remained until his retirement in 2014. The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants honored him in 2007 for maintaining his license for fifty years, and the firm held a five-star rating for many years.

Clyde and Anne led lives of service. Together, they were instrumental in the formation of the Pasadena Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pasadena Historic Society, Pasadena 4H Club, and Pasadena Strawberry Festival. Clyde was active in the Lions Club, the local American Cancer Society, and the Harris County Schoolboard. He was declared Citizen of the Year by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and as Rotary president, was a multiple recipient of the Paul Harris Award.

At First Methodist Church, he taught Sunday school, was a lay leader, and served on the board of directors. As leader of Boy Scout troop 261, he received the Silver Beaver, the highest award given for volunteer service in the Boy Scouts of America. Under his leadership, twenty Eagle Scouts graduated from the troop, two of whom were his own sons. Clyde was a lifelong supporter of the Pasadena Livestock show and attended the scholarship sale as a buyer for over fifty years.

In addition to their “real jobs”, Anne and Clyde also opened Gulf-Tex Feed Store, owned Ellis Shoe Store, and raised beautiful Angus cattle on the farm in Shiro. In Huntsville, they started A-C Christmas Tree Farm, raised Suffolk sheep, and restored an historic farm house that they moved from Houston. Also, Clyde mowed his own yard.

Clyde was kind and patient, a true gentle man. His life was one of integrity, selflessness, and service, an example of Christian humility. An example to follow.

Preceded in death by wife, Elizabeth Anne McFarlin Thomas; parents, John and Ethel Thomas; and brother, Clois Thomas.

Clyde is survived by his four children, Julie Horn and husband Geoff of Navasota, Steven Thomas and wife Vicki of Montgomery, Jennifer Thomas of Shiro, and Andrew Thomas and wife Shelley of Salado; sister, Christine DuBois and husband Don of Magnolia; eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family would also like to express thanks to caregivers Cindy, Susan, Trudy and Mary.

Serving as pallbearers are Steve Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Anderson Horn, Britton Horn, Luke Thomas, and Levi Thomas. Honorary pallbearers are Don Du-Bois, Don Miller, Tom Wilks, Jay Bain, George Crowson, and Danny Barfield.

Viewing and family visitation was held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 16, followed by service at 11:00 a.m. at Sam Houston Funeral Home in Montgomery. Interment was at Martin Prairie Cemetery in Iola at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association or Anderson First United Methodist Church. You may leave written memorials at www.shmfh.com

Funeral services were entrusted to Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Montgomery, Texas.