Doyle Edwin "Ed" Thomas Jr.

December 14, 1932 – June 30, 2023

A celebration of the life of Ed Thomas will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Navarre Funeral Home in Baytown, Texas. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 5:00 PM.

Ed, age 90, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023, at his residence in Baytown, Texas.

Ed was born in Cedar Bayou, Texas and grew up in Baytown. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High school before earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston.

Ed married Patsy Ivey on April 17, 1954. Later that year, they moved to Opelousas, Louisiana where he was employed as an engineer for Schlumberger Ltd. They returned home to Baytown in 1956 when Ed was hired by Enjay Chemical Co., Inc. Enjay was a subsidiary of Enco/Esso/Humble Oil Co. which were all combined to make Exxon and, in turn, merged with Mobil to create Exxon/Mobil. Ed’s job took him to Canada, Japan, Wales, and all over the U.S. during his instrumental role in the formation of the polypropylene plant in Baytown. He was a lifelong inventor who held several patents related to his work with Exxon/Mobil. Ed retired after 40 years in the field of mechanical engineering.

Ed’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, and building model airplanes. He was an avid gardener and woodworker who enjoyed spending time at the family’s deer lease in Comfort, farm in Nogalus Prairie, and house on Lake Livingston. He was always involved in the activities of his children; from driving a school bus of boy scouts to the Canadian border for a canoe trip, to building elaborate sets for youth banquets at Memorial Baptist Church, to driving a station wagon full of handbells and tables to Mexico City for a youth handbell choir concert.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Patsy Ivey Thomas; children Kathleen and husband Woody Wade of Jasper, Texas, Gary and wife Rockell Thomas of Baytown, Texas, and Karen and husband Ed Platt of Sugar Land, Texas; grandchildren Ryan Wade and wife Marsha, Carrie Fowler and husband Jeff, Emily Miller and husband Kyle, Sarah Wade, Hannah Wade, Randy Thomas and wife Ashley, Robert Thomas and wife Tiffany, Carolyn Wilburn and husband Chris, Abigail Rodriguez and husband T.J., and Caroline Platt; Holly Thomas and Jarred Thomas and wife Magen; and great-grandchildren Eliana and Asher Wade, Emma, Easton, and Ella Fowler, Emery and Everett Miller, Brooke and Blake Thomas, Tenley and Grady Thomas, Savanna Wilburn, Calvin Thomas, and August Rodriguez; and Kena, Grace, and Wallace Thomas, and Paige Rome.

Ed is preceded in death by parents, Doyle and Anna Pearl Thomas, brother, Allen Thomas, and great-grandson, Xander Wade.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s honor to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Baytown Heritage Museum, or the charity of your choosing that evokes fond memories of him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com for the Thomas family.