C.A. "Archie" Thomas

Chester “Archie” Thomas, long time resident of Brownwood, Texas passed away Thursday, February 16, 2017 after a short illness. He was known as Archie by his friends, Dad by his children, and Chaw Chaw by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Archie always showed kindness to friends and strangers alike, and everyone enjoyed his gentle sense of humor. He loved and treasured his family.

Archie was born in Ballinger, Texas on September 13, 1924 to Leon and Jewell Thomas. He graduated from Ballinger High School and then went on to serve his country in WWII as a radio operator/waist gunner in the South Pacific on a B24 bomber. He married the love of his life, Bertha Marie Holland on Augusts 3, 1946 in Ballinger and soon moved to Brownwood. With his brother-in-law, James Holland, he co-owned the Lyric Theater in downtown Brownwood from 1953 – 1958. He worked for the Texas Highway Department in Brownwood for 37 years, retiring in 1987. While living in Brownwood, he enjoyed farming, ranching, boating and fishing on Lake Brownwood, and watching Texas Ranger’s baseball. After the death of Bertha in 2010, he moved to Grand Prairie to be closer to his children and made many new friends at his retirement center. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Archie was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Jewell Thomas, his wife Bertha Thomas, brothers Billy Jack Thomas and Alvin Thomas, sister Betty Jo Thomas, nephew Greg Thomas, brother-in-law Kenneth Burke, and sister -in-law Polly Thomas.

He is survived by his son Kenneth Thomas and wife Cindy of Grand Prairie, his daughter Sandra Smith and husband Jim of Justin, grandchildren Josh Thomas and wife April of Grand Prairie, Emily Edelhauser and husband Cody of Belton, Jordan Smith and wife Stephanie of Tuttle OK, Brandon Smith and wife Ashley of Justin, and his seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Burke of Allen, sister Frances Shiller and husband of Leroy of Richardson, brother Walter Thomas and wife Diane of Alpine, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be on Monday, February 20th at 3:00 in Grand Prairie at Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home with visitation prior to the service at 2:30. A graveside service will be held at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood on Tuesday, February 21st at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arlington Memorial Hospital Veteran’s Final Salute Program.

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