Herschel Allen Thomas

After graduating from Joaquin High School in 1946, Herschel served in the United States Navy where he was honorably discharged in 1948. He met and married Doris Watson, his wife of 65 years, then began his career at Shell Oil Company in Deer Park. Herschel and Doris raised their three children in Pasadena, where he led his family to worship and taught Sunday School at Thomas Avenue Baptist Church and served as a deacon at First Baptist Pasadena. He attended the University of Houston, taking night classes after work each day for ten years until he obtained his bachelor’s degree. Herschel retired after 38 years with Shell, and moved with Doris to East Texas. He enjoyed gardening and fishing until his health began to require closer medical care. They moved to the Woodlands in 1996 and became active in Woodlands Parkway Baptist Church, then Crossroads Baptist Church. Always up for a fierce game of dominoes or Mexican Train, he loved his friends and was faithful to stay in touch with them. He volunteered at Memorial Hermann Hospital for many years until his health began to decline.

When his son Keith returned to Texas to pastor Northway Baptist Church, he and Doris moved their membership there to serve until his passing. Herschel was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002, struggled with diabetes, survived a broken neck and a stroke along with many other health ailments in his later years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Mary Thomas, his brother Marion Thomas, his sisters Catherine Doster and Bessie Mae Hanna, and his son Keith Thomas. He is survived by his loving wife and caretaker, Doris Thomas, his son Ronnie Thomas (wife June), his daughter Teresa Knight along with grandchildren Brian Thomas (wife Shellie), Nathan Thomas (wife Jordan), Nolan Thomas, Kevin Thomas (wife Fallon), Lauren Thomas, Blake Knight, Kelsey Thomas and Zach Knight, and great grandchildren Lauren, Jaycee, Eyan and Trace.

Herschel loved his family, his friends and leaves a legacy of great faith in the Lord. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Northway Church of The Woodlands Building Fund where he attended and his son Keith pastored until his passing in 2013.