Burton Richard Thomas

Lt. Col. Burton “Bucky” Thomas, (Ret.), age 83, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025 surrounded by family in Austin, Texas. After graduating from the University of Miami, he proudly served for 32 years in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

Bucky is a graduate of Waverly High School (1960) in Waverly, New York where he played the trumpet in the band, and Miami (1965) in Coral Gables, Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. He met Donna, a nurse, one summer while he was working at the hospital snack bar. He and Donna married and had two children before he was deployed overseas during Vietnam. The family had several base assignments ahead of landing in Texas in the mid-80s.

Bucky could play the trumpet and keyboard by ear and was entertaining audiences at local venues and family gatherings in his younger days. Later he enjoyed fishing, golfing, backyard barbecues, and watching the Miami Hurricanes. He loved grilling steaks (even in a snowstorm), churning peach ice cream, and making the classic American breakfast. He was the heart of the family, always leading with love and strength. He was there through every challenge, never wavering in his support.

Bucky is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna; his daughter, Karen; his son, Rick; his sisters Patricia Ball, Joyce Hughson, and Elizabeth Hill; extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Burton and Florence Thomas and brothers Phelps and Marvin.

“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller