Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
John Thomas Obituary
1963-2015
John M. Thomas, Jr., (Bud) was born 5/7/63 in Houston, Texas and passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. With the exception of five years in San Antonio, he spent his entire life in Houston. In 1981 he graduated from Memorial High School and entered Rice University as a National Merit Scholar. Bud earned a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Rice, graduating in 1987. While at Rice, he became a dedicated fan of the Rice baseball team and broadcast many games on Rice's radio station ktru. After graduating, Bud occasionally substituted for the other DJs on ktru, as seen in THE RICE THRESHER, 2/26/1988.
After graduation he worked for the Jim Bath interests (Southwest Airport Services, Inc., Ellington Field); then for McCord Development, Inc.; and again for Southwest Airport Services, Inc., which was the end of his working career.
Bud is survived by his father (John, Sr.), mother (Helen), brother (Bill), nephew (Carter), niece (Madison), as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, mostly in Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Denver, Colorado.
Private interment with family members present will be Friday, August 21, 2015.
The memorial service is scheduled on Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, at 13001 Katy Freeway (IH 10), just east of Eldridge.
Donations may be made to the charity of your choice; or to "in memory of John M. (Bud) Thomas, Jr.", RBI Club (or to Owl Club), Rice University Dept. of Athletics – M5548, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Thomas
Sponsored by Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery.
Paul Elmer
January 7, 2022
Bud was a great neighbor. He would come over and hoop with me and talk back in high school.
He was a couple years older than me and it was good for my self-esteem that a cool guy like Bud would come hang out. I can't believe he's gone. Miss you Buddy!
Madison Thomas
March 31, 2016
I love and miss you, Uncle Bud. Watching the Twilight Zone hasn't been the same without you.
John Richardson
August 25, 2015
My prayers and thoughts are with Bud's family, especially Mr and Mrs Thomas. I met Bud in the 4th grade, and he quickly became one of my best friends. He was hilarious of course, but also loyal and pretty much all the other stuff you want a friend to be. No matter what kind of day it was, he would turn your attitude into a positive one somehow, often through calculated random absurdity.
We will all miss him. I look forward to seeing him again.
John Richardson
Frankie Mandola
August 22, 2015
Only One Bud! Hoot Em up There!
T. J. Bath
August 21, 2015
So sad. Some of my fondest memories at Rice involved Bud. May you rest in peace, Bud!
Neal Farmer
August 20, 2015
Bud had some of the best one-liners at Rice baseball game broadcasts. He was classy and sassy.
Lt Col John Fredland
August 20, 2015
I have fond memories of sitting in the press box at Cameron Field in the mid-90s and hearing Bud (along with his "Alternative Sports System" colleagues, Paul and Alex) providing skewed-but-engaging play-by-play for Rice baseball games on KTRU. Off the air, he'd reminisce with me about the game that he saw at Three Rivers Stadium in '87. Bud was definitely one of the cool kids, but not too cool for the weirdness of Rice. I can't believe that he's gone. RIP
Kirkwood Johnston
August 19, 2015
We'll miss you Bud.
Bob Gardner
August 19, 2015
RIP to a great Owl.
Ted Richard
August 18, 2015
My thoughts and prayers to the Thomas family. Bud, have you figured a way to put your blue & gray pompoms into your halo? You will be missed.
Kirwin Drouet
August 17, 2015
Show the Angels how to do the One-man Wave, Bud. We will miss you.
Randall Terrell
August 15, 2015
We'll miss you, Bud. Vaya con Dios.
J. Jones
August 15, 2015
you were one of the good ones... RIP
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in John Thomas's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for John Thomas
Aug
22
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Thomas's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
