Louis Thomas

Louis Glynn Thomas was born in Aley in Henderson County, Texas, on July 10, 1935 to Virgil and Willie Eleanor Jones Thomas. He was the second of three sons, following Homer Neil and preceding Norman Clay. Louis attended school in Aley and later at Whitehall School in Kaufman County after they moved to the Mabank area. Later he attended and graduated from Mabank High School in Mabank in 1953.

Around 1951, Louis and his family were all baptized in Mabank. He met Nellie Chandler through church. They married on November 19, 1958 in Mabank. Louis and Nellie made their first home in Dallas but soon moved to Mabank in 1959 when Louis got a rural letter carrier route here. They welcomed their first child Dennis Paul Thomas in 1961. They built a home in the Gun Barrel area that was being constructed at the same time as Cedar Creek Lake. Their son Leslie Glynn Thomas was added to the family in 1965. Their only daughter Eleanor Marie was born in 1969. Louis and Nellie were married for almost 65 years.

In the early 1970s Louis felt like the lake area was a little too busy for his liking and wanted to move more in the country. He found acreage in Van Zandt County and he and Nellie built a house there in 1974 where they resided until their deaths.

Louis was a man of many talents and an extremely hard worker all of his life. He worked for more than 30 years for the U.S. Postal service as a rural carrier until his retirement in 1990. He and Nellie owned and ran a dairy farm from 1978 to 2000. Louis and his son Dennis built 5T Land and Cattle with registered Angus cattle. Louis always had animals -cattle, horses, chickens, guineas, peafowl, ducks, rabbits, pigs. At one time he even had registered German Shepherds. After retirement, he delivered trusses for ABO. When his son Dennis began Clay Structures in 1999, Louis founded Thomas Transportation where he delivered brick for the new business. Louis was a hobby beekeeper for more than 30 years and enjoyed it very much.

Louis was a steadfast Christian. There was never a question about his devotion to God and Christ’s church. He has served as a deacon and elder. He lived his integrity in front of others every day. He led his family to follow God’s plans in all things. He wanted more than anything for them to be saved and live the abundant life.

Louis is survived by his son Dennis and wife Debbie of Mabank, son Leslie and wife Jeanine of Combine, daughter Marie and husband Robert of Mabank; grandchildren: Jessica Barrett, Tyler Thomas, Macey Melton, Chloe Sherman, Autumn McElyea, Colburn Thomas, Chandler Osborne, and Landon Thomas. He leaves behind 9 precious great grandchildren and another expected in a few months. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers and his beloved wife.

Louis also leaves behind a legacy- a legacy of Christian living, humor, integrity, hard work, devotion, selflessness, patience, gentleness, kindness, genuine connection with others- A legacy of love for God and others.