Milton Larry Thomas

He passed away on February 10, 2022 in Austin, Texas. Larry grew up flying model airplanes and even set a national record of 136.72mph in the Junior Class of the Academy of Model Aeronautics in 1956. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1959. He met Glenda Thomas in 1960 when his mother asked him to go pick up a group of girls at the dorm of Howard Payne University and give them a ride to church. That was the beginning of a lifelong love story. They were married in 1961 and had two children, Stephen and Lara. In the mid-1960s they moved to Austin so that their children would have lots of different opportunities and they could be equal distance from each of their parents’ homes.

Larry worked for the Texas Highway Department for 34 years. His first job there was making maps, but he moved up to work in the automation division back when computers were programmed with punch cards. While he was working for the Highway Department, he also started his own custom home design business. Larry designed thousands of homes in the Austin area during those years and had several homes featured in the Austin Parade of Homes starting in 1978 and continuing through the 1980s. He also produced several paintings and glass etchings over the years for family members. He loved shooting and was part of the NRA shooting program, the Army Civilian Marksmanship Program, and the Travis Gun Club – where he won first place in both the summer and winter leagues in 1967 and 1968.

He was proud and supportive of his children and grandchildren and attended as many events as he could. As Glenda’s health declined he spent most his time taking care of her. Larry and Glenda’s love was legendary to all who knew them. They truly lived out their wedding vows every single day for over 48 years. After she passed away, he spent his time working on family genealogy, and made two trips to Germanna, Virginia where his German ancestors settled in 1717. In the last ten years he fought cancer and beat it three times, but as his Alzheimer’s progressed he could no longer live alone and moved to The Watermark at Southpark Meadows memory care in 2019. He was known for his intelligence, his quirkiness, and an endless supply of dad jokes.

He is preceded in death by his parents Mit & Rosalie; wife, Glenda and his sister, Linda Thomas Machann.

He is survived by his son, Stephen Thomas and his wife Thea, their children Max and Sophia; his daughter Lara Newcomer and her husband Adam and their children Joshua, Hannah, and Sarah; his great-granddaughter Charlie Newcomer; and numerous cousins, nephews, and friends.

While we mourn his passing we do not mourn as those without hope. We know that he is with Glenda once again and they are rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.

A visitation for Milton will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. A graveside service will occur Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Texas Baptist Children’s Home (https://www.tbch.org/Site/Ways-You-Can-Help/) or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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