JW Thomas

JW Thomas, of Ochelata, OK, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday morning, February 18th, 2026, at Journey Home in Dewey, OK, after a long illness. He was born to Andrew Jackson Thomas and Floy Fay (Gibson)Thomas in LeFlore Oklahoma. He was the second born of 8 children.

JW attended grade school at LeFlore, Oklahoma, and High School in Dinuba, California. He enjoyed life on the family farm until they picked up and moved to California. After he left high school, he worked for the railroad, picked fruit and vegetables in the fields, and worked at a turkey processing plant.

March 1978 he left California and made plans to join an offshore drilling rig. He stopped in Oklahoma to visit his brothers, and there met his very soon to be wife, Lois, and never made it to the drilling rig. They were married on September 1st of that same year, and he went to work at Skyline where he built travel trailers, and later worked for his brother's roofing business. After a couple of years, he decided to try plumbing and continued in that for several years, while starting his family. After the plumbing company that he worked for went out of business due to the owner being ill, JW went to welding school and was employed at Superior Welding company until he retired in August 2000.

He moved his family to Ochelata, OK in 1981, where they enjoyed time together as a family, with lots of outdoor time. JW enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and watching his girls play softball, which he coached for a few years. He also enjoyed attending church and fellowshipping at Matoaka Baptist Church.

JW was a hard worker, and didn't have any quit in him. He always stood up for what was right, and taught his girls to be strong and stand up for themselves.

Preceded in death by his father Jack Thomas, mother Floy Carson, stepfather Bob Carson, sister Floy Sue Thomas, brother Hubert Thomas, brother Charles Thomas, brother Harol Thomas, and Sister Veda Keeling.

Survived by wife Lois of the home, two daughters, Robin Horsman and husband Daniel of Oglesby OK, Tina Conner and husband Dustin of Bartlesville, OK, 4 grandchildren, Katelyn Conner, Dalton Conner, Brooke Horsman, and Logan Horsman. 2 brothers, Odell Thomas and wife June of Lenapah OK, Jim Thomas and wife Penny of Enid OK, and 1 sister Tillie Jones of Bakersfield, CA. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.