Samuel Glenn Thomas Sr.

1952 - 2013

Samuel Glenn Thomas, Sr 1952 - 2013 Samuel Glenn Thomas, Sr. was born June 23, 1952, to Helen and Ed Hall in Jonesville, Louisiana. Samuel was the fourth of eight children. His younger years were spent in Jonesville, where he attended the local elementary schools. In 1967 his family moved to Los Angeles, California, where his education continued at the local elementary schools, and he graduated from Locke High School in 1970. After graduating, he served in two branches of the armed forces: the Army (1970-1972) and the Marines (1974-1978) from which he received honorable discharges. In March 1979, he made a decision to accept Christ as his personal savior, and from that day forward, his desire was to please God. In that same month, he was united in holy matrimony to Ada Hunter and realized his call to do God's work; he decided to enroll at Patten University in Oakland, California, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Ministerial degree. In 1985 he was called by God to Monroe, Louisiana, where he founded and pastored Christian Fellowship Church. While pastoring there, he helped establish a television station with a weekly broadcast that continues to this day with the pastor that was placed in their ministry. Samuel pastored in Monroe from 1985 to 1992. In 1992 he moved his family to Bakersfield, California, where he continued to fulfill his calling and became very active in the community. His work included founding two churches, Solid Rock Baptist Church and Omega Community Church. He served on the Kern High School District Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2006. During his tenure, several high schools were built, and he was honored to have his name on the plaques that were displayed at the new schools. His interest in politics continued, prompting him to run for state assembly in 2002. He also helped create the Kern High School District Community Tutorial Program, which is still in operation today. He was a community and student oriented person. He continued his education and received his master's and doctoral degrees from Summit Bible College in Bakersfield, California. Samuel was preceded in death by his father, Ed Hall; a brother, Freddie Holly; and one daughter, Mary Ann Thomas. Those left to cherish him through memories are a devoted wife, Ada Thomas; mother, Helen Hall; his children, De'Sonia Johnson (LeJon), Kassandra Wilkerson, Toni Arrington (Darryn), Tanya Thomas, Samuel Glenn Thomas II, and Tara Sharae Thomas; brothers, Rev. Jimmie Thomas, Pastor Tom Holly Jr. (Olis), and Jerry Hall; sisters, Helen Louise Thomas, Diane Pentard, Trissa Hall, and Sarah Koufie; 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2013, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Celebration of Life Center Southwest, 2739 Panama Lane. A service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., with interment to follow at Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E. Bear Mtn. Blvd. For condolences please visit www.greenlawnmortuaryandcemetery.com. Greenlawn Funeral Home Southwest www.bakersfield.com/obits