Sam Thomas Jr.

MARSHALL - Sam Thomas Jr. died Sunday, November 27, 2011, after a short illness.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Jan Colvert of Emory, Texas, Steve and Ann Howell of Rowlett, Texas, Celeste and Jon Roach of Mount Pleasant, Texas, and Thomas Reardon Jr. of Longview, Texas; brother-in-law, F.M. Howell of Pittsburg, Texas; aunt, Della Nader of Marshall, Texas; uncle, Richard and Velma Nader of Fort Worth, Texas; cousin, Virginia Nader of Marshall, Texas; many other cousins in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, California and Ohio; and four great-nieces, a great-nephew and four great-great-nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Sam Thomas and Rosa Lee Nader Thomas; sisters, Selma Thomas Reardon, Juanita Thomas Colvert and Katherine Thomas Howell; as well as his nephew, Chris Colvert.
Sam Thomas Jr. was a man of many interests. He managed Sam's Candy Co., in addition to duties as a seventh-grade reading and English teacher in Marshall Independent School District; plus being a playwright, composer and art and drama instructor for Marshall Parks and Recreation Department. Sam wrote and composed music for ""The Barrymore Incident,"" a local production which became a regular feature of Stagecoach Days for many years. His musical abilities were well known to Marshallites, who were entertained by his combo at numerous civic and social functions. The fun-loving keyboard player, affiliated with Shreveport Federation of Musicians Local 116, enjoyed performing as much as listeners liked his music.
Many people describe the genial Candy Man as ""Mister Demolay."" He was advisor to the Marshall chapter, order of Demolay, from 1963 to 1970; is a past governor of District 12; and held the order's honorary Legion of Honor in recognition of outstanding service and leadership in Demolay. A past president of Marshall Art League and former Lions Club member who received several 100% attendance pins, Thomas also served as secretary of Marshall Jaycees, who gave him the Blalock Award as the 1965 Outstanding Jaycee.
At Trinity Episcopal Church, Sam served as Sunday school teacher, Junior and Senior Warden. A member of Marshall Masonic Lodge and Dallas Scottish Rite, he was also a Shriner (Sharon Temple), a member of Marshall Elks Lodge, Harrison County Historical Society, Michelson-Rives Museum of Art and Marshall Regional Arts Council.
During a two-year stint with the U.S. Army, Thomas trained as a medical aid man and served as a company clerk at Fort Hood. He graduated from Marshall High School and earned two degrees from East Texas Baptist College, as well as a Master of Education at the University of Texas in Tyler.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. today, November 29, 2011, at Sullivan Funeral Home.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall. The celebrant will be the Rev. Father John Himes, OSF. Following the funeral, interment will be in Algoma Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church or the Charity of Choice.
Pallbearers are Christopher Colvert, Rusty Asaff, James Nader, Steve Howell, Jessie Fugler and Tom Reardon Jr. Honorary pallbearers are F.M. Howell, Claude Damewood, Tommy Thomas and Johnny Barkett.
Online condolences may be offered at www.sullivan-funeralhome.com.