James "Moose" Fred "Moose" Thomas

James "Moose" Fred Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas, on June 10, 1945 to Frank Franklin Thomas, Sr. and May Belle Wright Thomas. Moose grew up playing first base on the baseball fields of Kermit, where he discovered a lifelong love of the game. He graduated from Kermit High School in 1963. One of his fondest memories from that time was being called on to pitch for the first time during his senior year, striking out 17 batters, and clinching the win for his team.

After high school, Moose joined the workforce and began building his family. He worked as an operator and field mechanic for Transwestern for 25 years and later served in the maintenance department at Kermit ISD full time for 20 years. In that role, he cared for the ball fields that he had played on as a child and drove both school and athletic buses. Moose especially loved his time behind the wheel where he got to talk with students, build relationships, and share encouragement with generations of kids.

Though he officially retired in 2015, Moose quickly realized that retirement wasn't for him. He returned to the KISD maintenance team part-time for an additional 8 years, continuing to serve the school and students he held so dear. As a passionate fan of Kermit ISD athletics, he rarely missed a game and could often be found in the stands, cheering for the Kermit team.

Moose played both baseball and softball well into adulthood, finding joy not just in competition but in the camaraderie and life-long friendships that came with it. While baseball may have been his first love, throughout his life, he loved his wife, he loved his family, and he loved the KISD community, and he was also a member of the First Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father: Frank Franklin Thomas, Sr.; his mother: May Belle Thomas; his brothers: Frank Thomas, Jr. and Roy Thomas; and his sister: Mary Ruth Hagood.

He is survived by his wife: Judy Thomas of Kermit, TX; his children: James Dwane Thomas (Cheryl North) of North Richland Hills, TX, Sheira Thomas Petty (Jeff) of Mansfield, TX, Jamie Thomas Kneisley (Brian) of Midland, TX , Eric Handlin (Corinna) of Odessa, Tx, and Kari Wadsworth (David); 18 grandchildren: Ashley, Reid, Megan, Jackson, Colin, George, Katelyn, Cooper, Zoey, Jered, Jade, Jake, Iridian, Kaleb, Gabrian, Malia, and William; four great-grandchildren: Parker, Graham, Jack, and Charlie; and the countless students of KISD in whose lives he was honored to play a small part.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025 at Family Services Funeral Chapel. There will be a family visitation from 4 pm – 7 pm on Monday, July 28 at Family Services Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will take place at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Kermit, officiated by Reid Petty, assisted by Brother Dudley Mullins. The family requests that everyone please wear maroon and gold. Pallbearers will be Jackson Thomas, Colin Thomas, Joey Greene, Hazen Wright, Eric Handlin Joey Garcia, Yosmar Acevedo, and Moni Davila. Honorary pallbearers will include all of the Kermit High School athletes.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kermit Athletics Activity Fund, 601 S. Poplar, Kermit, TX 79745, would be appreciated.

Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor and condolences may be sent to the family at www.fs-fp.com.