Cederick "Ced" Jamal Thomas

Cederick Jamal Thomas’ kickoff to life was August 12, 1986, here in Odessa, Texas. The Head coaches for his game are Salena Marie Thomas and Frederick Douglas Thomas Senior. Driven and determined to fulfill his life’s dream of becoming a professional football player. On any given Sunday, Cederick could be found in the church, accompanied by the matriarch’s of praying women of God, in the presence of the Lord. Baptized at an early age, Ced began compiling his life’s playbook, alongside the skilled academics he acquired in primary school, and received several awards for A/B honor roll. During his upbringing he faced many conflicts, challenges and obstacles that only few could conquer. Cederick was influenced by a group that gripped ahold to him, purposed with insightful and delightful images of hard-working men and women.

2nd Quarter

His athletic abilities ventured across playing soccer, basketball, track, and football. He finally settled into the rules of engagement on the gridiron. Swept by the high velocity and adrenaline filled competitiveness of football, the young Ced flourished as he maneuvered through offensive lines blitz after blitz, sacking quarterbacks, breaking the lines of scrimmages, while counting scuff marks on his helmet. Cederick began to show true talent in the game as an all-around athlete. He wasn’t limited to one sport. Cederick was agile, he was nimble, he was a lineman that could handle the role of the anchor in the relay. Eventually leading to commitment, he solely fell in love with the game of football as he played for keeps.

With great guidance from key male figures in his immediate family, Cederick began to develop his charismatic personality, destined to be greater than his male role models, Ced soon grew with knowledge, skills and abilities to work with his hands and his heart as a young man.

3rd Quarter

After returning home from college Cederick dedicated himself as a phenomenal provider. Ced poured all his unfailing love into Davette, providing for her and their 3 children. Always, putting other’s before himself. He began his 14+ year journey in the oil and gas industry. Never settling for less, he challenged himself and conquered serval different job titles. From entry level all the way to the Corporate OFFICE. He took pride in his work ethic, with integrity and ambition. Meanwhile, fatherhood matured him quickly and his children became his top priority, as he was their protector. Cederick kept a spot in his heart for his children alongside the secured space in his heart for the love of his life, Davette. His play action captivated them wholeheartedly, he loved hard, and his love was complete. He spoke uplifting and encouraging thoughts to them, he was purposeful and intentional with them, they became his backfield. He demonstrated the strength of his courage which complimented the determination in his heart. They are all one’s of his kind, Anthony, J’Niyah and Cederick II. He signed, sealed and delivered true love to them exclusively and exquisitely in their newly built family home last November. A divine leader, a charismatic gentleman, who enjoyed motivating a group, a humble servant and a source for love

4th Quarter

1st and goal. Accomplishing another dream, homeownership, the Thomas family established a new field position on the gridiron. While the backfield was in motion, the hail Mary pass play of his lifetime was thrown, for his fight for life and love. Suddenly he was attacked, a blitz, an ambush of a sort. There was no offensive coverage for Cederick. His oxygen was low, he breaks the first attempt on his life, day one. He makes it through day two, three and four, Cederick continues to try to drive the ops back and cross the goal line. Scrambling ferociously, and still on his feet, still his heart never missing a beat, days five and six, the clock has run out, it’s a pick 6. Cederick Jamal Thomas rested on the 7th day.

Genesis tells us that God created the universe in six days, and on the seventh day He rested. God refrained from doing any type of labor on the seventh day. He simply marveled at His work

A visitation for Ced will be held Friday, April 8, 2022 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Odessa Funeral Home, 1700 N Jackson Ave, Odessa, Texas 79761. A home going celebration will occur Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1000 W Clements St, Odessa, Texas 79763.

Ced will be laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Gardens, 6801 E I-20 Business Loop, Odessa, Texas 79762.

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