Windell Earl Thomason

Windell was born on July 27, 1940, to Edwin and Dorothy Thomason in Weston, Texas, and passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Lufkin, Texas, at the age of 84.

Windell grew up in Dallas, Waco, and Galena Park. He graduated from Galena Park High School in 1958. After high school, Windell served in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri. He married Patricia Archibald in 1963, and with this union had two sons, Wade Thomason and Wes Thomason. After serving in the Air Force, Windell worked at ARMCO Steel in Houston from 1967 to 1983. During this time, Windell met and married the love of his life, Linda McKnight, in 1980. They had 36 wonderful years together, until her passing in 2016. Windell had 3 years of college/hospital-based studies to become an x-ray technician, and then later, a radiation therapist. In 1991, Windell and Linda moved to Lufkin, where he worked for Temple Cancer Center as a radiation therapist. In 1999, he became a distributor for the Houston Chronicle for Angelina County until he retired in 2009. Windell married his high school sweetheart, Florine Cook, in 2022.

Windell was a member of Central Church of Christ for over 35 years and served in several capacities. He made many wonderful, lasting friendships during this time. Windell was an avid bass fisherman, and he was a member of the Saturday Bass Anglers and the Old Folks Bass Club. Windell also loved competing in pickleball.

Throughout the trials of cancer, Windell became closer to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and he was a witness to His faithfulness and what has been promised.

Windell is survived by his wife, Florine Cook of Missouri City and her children; son and daughter-in-law, Wade and Nita Thomason of Lovelady; son and daughter-in-law, Wes and Dru Thomason of Lufkin; grandchildren, Jennifer and Josh Gooch of Lufkin, Erica and Robert Day of Corrigan, Alyssa Thomason of Palestine, Adam Thomason of Billings, Montana, Rebekah and Tyler Arnold of Nacogdoches, Marcy and Connor Hobbs of Austin, and Ty Thomason of Lufkin; nephew, Eddie Thomason of Grandbury; nieces, Angela Cowart, Diane Thomason, and Debbie Cox, all of the Houston area. His beloved late wife Linda's family: Tom and Mimi McKnight of Fredricksberg, and their children, Stephanie and Michael Husband of New Jersey, Marcy and Dave Darcey of Boerne. A number of great-nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers: Adam Thomason, Ty Thomason, Tyler Arnold, Connor Hobbs, Dave Darcey, Josh Gooch.

Honorary Pallbearers: Tom McKnight, Eddie Thomason, Larry Cawley, Chad Cook, Gary Martz.

Windell was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Dorothy Thomason; his brother, Milton Thomason; his beloved wife, Linda Thomason; and his precious mother-in-law, Mabelyn McKnight.

The family will receive guests on Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Gipson Funeral Home in Lufkin. Funeral services will follow immediately at 2:00 p.m. Windell will be laid to rest at Garden of Memories Memorial Park.