Ammon Brent Thomas

The man with three first names was born in Malad City, Idaho and later lived in Emporia, Kansas; served in the U.S. Army in Stuttgart, Germany and attained the rank of Captain; lived in Santa Monica, California; and in 1968 bought a home in Austin, Texas. He and his life partner of 58 years, Max Mrasek, lived in that house until their deaths.

An eclectic career attests to Brent’s many interests and talents. He earned a B.A. in Speech with a Theatre emphasis from Idaho State University and a M.A. in Theatre (Acting and Directing) from what was then called Kansas State Teachers College. In addition to teaching drama at Emporia State University he later taught as an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College for many years. He also acted in and directed plays and won awards. Earlier in his career he was a radio announcer, radio advertising salesman, a master of ceremonies, a general handyman, and designed and made prosthetics (which is how he met and became friends with Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel and creator of Barbie). Brent retired from the Texas Health and Human Services Division.

Brent’s true love was always theatre, those he called family, and the many dogs (and occasional cat) he and Max had in the house they shared so generously with others. He enjoyed music of all kinds (coming from more speakers than one could count); good food of all kinds (with as much gravy, cheese, sauces and toppings as possible); cocktails and wine; the UT Longhorns; and elaborate outdoor Christmas lighting (that likely confused airline pilots at night). Max had the entire interior decorated and they kept the Christmas tree and one Christmas village up always. Nothing in moderation - If there were a male counterpart to Auntie Mame it was interchangeably played by Brent Thomas and Max Mrasek. What a pair.

Brent was a very smart and creative man his entire life. He maintained friendships with his high school and college classmates, with colleagues, and especially with a cadre of best friends known as “Chosen Family” and who are Travis Lynn Cook and the late Don McFarland, Steve Kinslow, Karen Jambon and the late Jennie Underwood, Alecia Reimers, Michelle Kelso, and Chappy Hulsey. We are all blessed with lifetime memories of both good and bad times, impromptu dinners, many trips, a lifetime of special individual memories, and now a renewed sense of what big losses mean.

Special thanks to Adrian Hicks who was Brent’s in-home caregiver and who became and will remain our trusted friend, the caregivers of St. David’s North ADC, Gentiva Hospice Care, Heavenly Care For You, and Bellcoa Home Health Service and Carmelite Duhon.