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Craig Thomas Obituary
Although young in years, Dr. Thomas lived a fulfilled life. He found personal peace and everyday blessings by bridging the gap between knowing and doing. He demonstrated perseverance in doing by working hard enough, looking close enough, and always being determined to do better. His communication of life moved and inspired us all immeasurably. He often encouraged others to strive to improve, and he would remind those around him that we cannot be tomorrow what we are not willing to do today. One of his favorite sayings was, "There is always tomorrow, until there isn't."
Dr. Thomas's Core Values were Fairness, Integrity, Honesty, Human Dignity, Service, Quality, Excellence, Potential, Growth, Patience, Nurturance, and Encouragement. For those who were not blessed to know and to love him, we can do no greater justice to his memory than to share his life values/personal affirmations, which he strived to live out every day. This is our dear Husband, Son, Father, Brother, Friend, and esteemed colleague, Dr. Craig Allen Thomas, in his own words:
My Life Values / Affirmations:
I will lead others; and in the process change the lives of others, while living in the word of God; I will spend my time with my partner and my children; I will help children all over the world, healing them and their families, assisting them to have a better life.
I will propagate intelligence, integrity, and leadership; I will demonstrate leadership in my organization and assist others to fulfill the organizational mission with integrity and intelligence; I will treat my family well and teach my children to live with integrity; respecting intelligence and striving to improve themselves and the world around them.
My friends will know that they have someone whom they can trust and lean on for assistance through our friendship. I will focus on accomplishing the tasks and goals I arrange before myself; I will optimize my education and ability to use it to help others.
I will spend my resources designing educational programs for children who otherwise might fail to learn; I will be healthy and teach my family and friends to be healthy; I will be happy and emotionally fulfilled, I will have healthy relationships with people who will treat me equally.
I will share my emotions with Kimberly, I will share my fears, hopes, dreams, aspirations, and my joy; I will learn to speak with God directly, listen to him and develop a deep relationship with him, I will lead and teach my family to do the same.
Dr. Thomas is survived by his most beloved wife, Dr. Kimberly Ray Thomas; and their children, Justin Ray, Lindsey Ray, Emily Ray, Caroline Ray and Seth Thomas; his mother, Edna Miller; his sister, Edith Spulick; and brothers, Tab Richard Barton, Harry J. Barton III and Bobby G. Thomas Jr. He is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews; and multiple extended family members.
A visitation service will be held at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home located on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, MS from 4 to 6 p.m. today with a short service starting at 6 p.m.
A memorial in honor of Dr. Thomas has been established to honor his work with children and families. Donations can be made to LifeBridge Church the Dr. Craig Thomas memorial fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Craig Thomas
Seth Thomas
March 26, 2017
I miss and love you so very much
Mom
May 20, 2012
There is not a day goes by that I do not think of you and your brother. I miss you Craig, please take care of your brother Tab. Give him a hug and kiss for me. I love and miss you both,more than words could ever say. Blessings,
mom
March 2, 2012
Son. I wanted to say "Happy Birthday!" and I miss you so much.
I wanted to honor you with this remembrance... I'm glad your brother is with you today. Love,always. Mother.
Mom
January 28, 2012
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it's the memories of you that are the most precious.
By Lamaretta Simmons
May 1, 2009
Dr. Ray and Family,
With deep sympathy for your loss.
Mike Hillhouse
Kelli Inabnet
April 30, 2009
Dr. Ray,
I'm devastated, I did not know. His relationship with Aidan was unique, and we loved him for that. I hope to see you soon. Please let others help you right now.
Kay Cee Thomas
April 27, 2009
hi guys iam so sorry that i could not be at the serivces and i pray that you all understand. i have the paper and i am filled with joy to see how many people where touched by my uncle how many people i has help and spread his love for God and the human race with
Ginnie Rudi
April 23, 2009
We are all in shock. He did wounderful things for my daughter Lexi. He always called her his Princess. He will be very much missed. I don't know where we would be if it were not for Dr. Thomas.
Angie Hoggard
April 22, 2009
So sorry to hear of Dr. Thomas' passing. I don't know where Colin would be today without his help. I can't begin to tell you the difference he made in Colin's life. Dr. Thomas will be missed very much by all of us who knew him through Greene County Tech.
Jenna Stafford
April 22, 2009
Dear Dr. Ray and Family,
We are so shocked and sad to hear about the loss of Dr. Thomas. He began working with Treyson only a few months after Treyson's autism diagnosis in 2003. In a time of great despair for our family, Dr. T gave us hope. When Dr. T first visited us, Treyson could not talk and showed all the heartbreaking signs of severe autism. Today... he is an outgoing, extremely verbal, happy, "mainstreamed" 1st grader who literally owes his life to Dr. Thomas and the ABA program that helped him become the child he is today. Please know there is a little boy in Arkansas who is leading a much better life than we ever dreamed possible thanks to Dr. Thomas and the programs he created to help Treyson overcome his autism. Words can't express the sorrow we feel for your family or our sadness about the loss of a man who has meant so much to our son and our family. He will be greatly missed.
Martha Pelaez
April 20, 2009
Even though I only met Craig once in person. He was fantastic and overly responsive, and extremelly helpful.
I am truly sorry.
Martha Pelaez
April 20, 2009
Dear Dr. Ray and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our daughter Nina has been greatly helped by Dr. Thomas's guidance. We cannot imagine where we would be without the good work of all involved in the ECA program. He will be missed.
Joe & Valorie Maniscalco, Shreveport, LA
Michael Weinberg
April 18, 2009
There is much to say about Craig. I have known Craig for more than 22 years and felt he was not only a friend and colleague, but also made significant contributions to our field, to children with autism and in developing the online journals. He will be greatly missed by us all but surely not as much as his family and wife, Kimberly.
Joseph Cautilli
April 17, 2009
Dear Kim,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Craig was always a caring person. so many in the last week have e-mailed me to tell me stories of how he made them feel respected and like they belonged.
It ws a loss for all of behavior analysis. Craig was a cutting edge leader in teh field. He always worked hard and never feared looking at things in a new way.
Michelle Kyle
April 16, 2009
Dr. Ray, family, and friends,
I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Thomas. I had the pleasure of meeting him one time and he enlightened me with his knowledge. My prayers and thoughts will be with you and your family. Dr. Ray you can carry on his dream through you. Both of you love children and he would want you to continue. Again, I am so sorry to hear of his death.
God Bless,
Theresa Hellen
April 15, 2009
Dear Kim-
My heart was saddened to hear the news of Craig's death. He was a brilliant man who was so dedicated to helping the children who desperately needed him. I have deep admiration and respect for the man that he was and for the values that he displayed and left for the rest of the world. My prayers and thoughts are with you. May God bless the endeavors that the two of you started together and may He comfort and sustain you and your family during this time.
Lynn Palmer Wells
April 15, 2009
Dear Kim,
Was so sorry to hear about Craig. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids.Want you to know though I'm thinking of you. I will continue to pray for you and your family. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.
Love You
April 15, 2009
Dear Dr. Ray and Family,
Dr. Thomas will be missed tremendously in the education arena here in MS. Please know we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Shelly Blankenship
MS Protection & Advocacy System
Carolynn Rambin
April 15, 2009
Dear Dr.Ray and family;
my name is Carolynn Rambin I work with Kelly Greathouse at ECA. I only got the great pleasure to have had meet Dr. Thomas once. He is and will always be one of the most respected and upright person i will have ever meet. He will truely be missed, but he will never ever be forgotten.
Shunda Davis
April 15, 2009
Dear Dr. Ray and family, Dr. Thomas will be missed at Beechwood Elememtary. No one will ever fill his shoes. Things will never be the same again. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Sanders
April 14, 2009
Dear Kim and family, David and I just heard about Craig. I'm so sorry I didn't
know; I would have been there for the service. Our love, prayers and sympathy
to all of you. Love you
Sheila Cantrell & Family
April 14, 2009
Dr. Ray,
We send our sincerest condolences. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lindsay & Danny Bouchillon
April 14, 2009
Dear Ray-Thomas Family,
Just want you to know that we are praying for you and remembering what a wonderful person Dr. Craig Thomas was at Lifebridge. Although, I did not know Dr. Craig personally, I felt like I did as I watched him "rock-out" on Sunday mornings. His expressiion of love for God was truly inspiring! We will always remember him and his testimony.
Vickie Price
April 14, 2009
Dear Dr. Ray, My prayers are with you as you deal with the loss of Dr. Thomas. You and he taught me all I know about autism and forever changed the way I look at my students. I'm so thankful that he became a Christian and your heart is at peace to know where he is and that some day you will see him again. My prayers are with your children and his children as they deal with their loss.
April 14, 2009
Dr. Ray,
My sincerest condolences to you and your children. Your loss is immeasurable.
Ann Brandon
Jamee Schilling
April 14, 2009
We are heartbroken for your family and for us, here in Shreveport... I would hate to think where our kids here at the Educational Center for Autism would be without the knowledge and guidance of Dr. Thomas. We will be forever grateful for him.
With greatest sympathy from Parker Adair's family (student at ECA)
Kelly Rouse
April 14, 2009
Dr. Ray, family, and friends,
We are devastated at the loss of such an amazing person. No one could ever fill his shoes. The impact Dr. Thomas has left on me can not be put into words, and I know there are many others who could say the same. I feel extremely lucky and gratefull to have known "Doc T". I have spent the last handful of years trying to gain his perspective and do as he does. Thanks Doc T, for letting me learn and study under you. And thanks to his family, who supported and made his work possible. He saved the lives of so many...what a way to live! I will do my best to live as he did. We love you, and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kelly Rouse and the ECA staff and families
Sheri Dillard
April 14, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss! You are in my thoughts and prayers. I always learned something new every time I met with him. He will be greatly missed!
Karen & Mike Nissen
April 14, 2009
Dear Kim and family,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. He was a brilliant doctor and a good friend. We will miss him very much.
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