Mr. Curtis D Thomas

A public viewing for Curtis will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at C. P. Bannon Mortuary, 6800 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94621 | 510-632-1011. A funeral service will occur on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Acts Full Gospel, 1034 66th Ave in the city of Oakland, CA 94621. A committal service and final resting place will occur following services on Thursday, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Sunset View Cemetery, 101 Colusa Ave in El Cerrito, CA 94530.

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Curtis (C.T.) Dan Thomas was born on October 24, 1949, to Tommie and Ed Lee Thomas, who both preceded him in death.

He was the middle sibling to his older brother, Jimmy Thomas, and younger sister, Frankie Thomas. His journey through life was as vibrant, full, engaging, and spirited as the city of his birth, Oakland, California.

Curtis was an athlete, and even at 74 years old, was quick to tell everyone he met of that fact. From playing basketball in the streets, to running around a track or running over folks on the football field, Curtis dominated in every sport he played. His love for football sparked at Oakland High School. A powerhouse in the game, he left an indelible mark on the football field, a passion that continued to burn brightly during his college years as a Pioneer at Cal State Hayward, now known as Cal State East Bay.

His achievements reached legendary heights, culminating in the recent induction of him and his team (The 1969-1970 Cal State East Bay Football Team) into the esteemed Pioneers Hall of Fame. Curtis' football career did not just end in college; he went on to play briefly for the Los Angeles Rams (when they were in LA the first time).

On April 16, 2024, Curtis ended his earthly journey and embarked on his final voyage, joining his beloved wife, the love of his life, soulmate, and eternal companion, Joni Michele Thomas, in death. Joni died on December 20, 2023. Curtis and Joni's love story was one for the ages, spanning five decades of unwavering love, devotion, laughter, activities, church, bowling, and shared dreams. They were proud parents of three daughters, Shane Williams, Michelle Thomas, and Courtney Jones. Their love was a beacon of light; even in death, it is a testament to the enduring power of devotion and partnership. Truly, it is a love story that transcends the bounds of earthly existence.

Throughout his life, Curtis was a beacon of strength and resilience, guided by his unwavering faith and love for people. Curtis found fulfillment in his professional pursuits and ability to provide for his family. He worked as a driver for Greyhound Bus, where he traveled throughout the United States and Mexico. He later joined the United States Postal Service, where his dedication as both a driver and supervisor earned him respect and admiration. He eventually retired from the Postal Service.

Outside family, work, and sports, Curtis found solace and joy in his beloved hobbies. An avid fisherman, he found peace by the water's edge, casting his line into the serene waters along the coasts of California and Maryland. Yet, it was on the polished lanes of bowling alleys from California to New York that Curtis truly came alive. His bowling community was his extended family. He was known to walk in the alley yelling, “C’Mon Man!” to announce his presence...and what a presence it was. Curtis was larger than life and never met a person he did not call a friend or a person he would not glady go out of his way to help.

A member of numerous bowling leagues, he traveled the states, leaving a trail of camaraderie in his wake but ensuring that whenever his ticket was called, you knew...”Money Gone!” (An inside bowling joke).

Even with such a full life, the cornerstone of his life was clear: his faith in Jesus Christ. Curtis’ unwavering devotion to Christ was evident in every aspect of his being. As a dedicated member of Acts Full Gospel Church, he found strength, solace, and community in the embrace of his fellow believers. As we bid farewell to Curtis "CT" Thomas, we celebrate a life of passion, integrity, and boundless love. Forever in our hearts, Curtis' spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us, reminding us to live each day with love, laughter, and unwavering faith. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those fortunate enough to know him, and his legacy will be an enduring testament to the power of love and faith. With the strike thrown on Curtis' life, he will always be remembered for telling folks, “Jesus loves you, and I love you too, and there is NOTHING you can do about it."

Curtis leaves to mourn his passing; his daughters Shane Williams, Michelle Thomas, and Courtney Jones; four granddaughters, Andrea Williams, Alexandrea Williams, Kaela Jones, and Charlize Jones; grandson Asa Williams; sons-in-law Andre Williams and Clarence "CJ" McMorris Jr; nieces Zakiya Gardner, Candace Thomas, and Cherish Thomas; nephews, Jimmy Thomas Jr., and Corey Johnson; sister Frankie Thomas; sister-in-law, Linda Thomas; brother-in-law, Ronald Collins; and a host of loved ones and extended family.

When Great Trees Fall



by Maya Angelou

When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,


lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants


lumber after safety.



When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,


their senses
eroded beyond fear.



When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.


We breathe, briefly.

Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.


Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,


promised walks
never taken.


Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.


Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,


now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their


radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced

to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.



And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,


slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of


soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never


to be the same, whisper to us.


They existed. They existed.


We can be. Be and be


better. For they existed.