DAVID THOMAS

1929 - 2023

DAVID THOMAS DALLAS - David Rutherford Thomas, age 94, a resident of Dallas, TX, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, February 19, 2023. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle and friend to many who will be missed very much. David was born in Denison, TX on January 21, 1929, to Sarah Marguerite Rutherford Thomas and Issac Lewis Thomas. He was the oldest of five children, having four sisters. David graduated from Denison High School in 1946 as the Valedictorian. In the fall of that year, he began his studies at the University of Texas, Austin and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree. He continued at UT Austin School of Law, receiving his law degree in 1952. While attending the university he presided as president of the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity. Upon graduating from law school, he entered the United States Army, attended Officer Candidate school, and then served in the capacity of Judge Advocate General, assigned to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia until June of 1955. After serving in the Army, David worked at various law firms in Sherman, Midland, and Houston, TX honing his skills as an attorney. After a few years, he began a long career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, working under a number of Texas Attorneys General over the years. Nearing the end of his professional career, he worked as an attorney for Dallas County for a time and retired early at age 55. David enjoyed theater, concerts, art, and had a passion for jazz and classical music. He also loved to travel. He travelled all over the country and often travelled abroad, searching for unique things to see and delve into his passion of music, art and theater in other countries. He took his beloved mother on several occasions so that she, too, could experience other cultures, music, art and special sites. David never married and had no children; however, he treated his eleven nieces and nephews as his own children with graciousness and generosity throughout their life journeys. David was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Katherine Diane Skipper. He is survived by his other three sisters: Dorothy Holder, Delane Pickering and Dell Halm and her spouse Kleo; his eleven nieces and nephews: Kyle Skipper and spouse Jill, Kelton Skipper and spouse Elizabeth, Julie Ludwig and spouse Nick, Byron Meek and spouse Rebecca, Kathy Averitt and spouse Mike, Brad Meek, Susan Rivas and spouse David, Paul Pickering and partner Brian, Sharon Wood and spouse Breck, Valerie McElroy and spouse Sam, and David Halm and partner Ralph; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in Denison, TX at Fairview Cemetery Chapel on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 10:30 am. A graveside American flag presentation ceremony will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, and according to his wishes, please express sympathies by "donating to a worthy charity of your choice".