Richard Thomas

Richard H. Thomas, 87, of Carthage, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday morning, October 13, 2025. He was born on March 27, 1938, in Marshall, Texas, to the late Horace Garrett Thomas, Sr., and Maurine Bryan Thomas.

Richard graduated from Carthage High School in 1957. Shortly after, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1961, and was honorably discharged.. On January 25, 1963, he married the love of his life, Wilma Kay Allison, in Carthage, where they built a life together for more than 62 years.

A dedicated and hardworking businessman, Richard owned and operated Patterson Insurance Agency for many years. Throughout his life, he pursued numerous business ventures, the most recent being the establishment of River Bottom Pecans, a reflection of his entrepreneurial spirit.

Richard was a devoted public servant and community leader. He felt honored to serve on the Panola College Board of Trustees for over 32 years, helping to guide the institution through decades of growth and progress. He was also a longtime member of First Methodist Church of Carthage, where he faithfully served on numerous committees, including the Board of Trustees.

Richard was known for his integrity, generosity, and unwavering devotion to faith, family, and friends. Though he was a successful businessman, his greatest legacy is the love and support he gave to those around him-as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Joe Thomas, Linda Patterson, Horace Garrett Thomas, Jr., and Mary Joyce Cassity.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Kay Thomas; children, Scott Thomas and wife Carrie, Trela Weesner and husband Jeff, and Tana Hoelscher and husband Derrick; grandchildren, Rosston Thomas and wife Kenleigh, Shelby Carter, and Miller Thomas, Emily and Andrea Weesner, Christena Wellbrock and husband Nick, Brenden Hoelscher; siblings, Arona Bryson and husband Gordon, and Elizabeth Kemp; sisters-in-law, Mickie Thomas, Linda Gholston Thomas, Dianne Jones and husband Pat, and Reba Allison; special friends, Jessie Allison and Jacob Ramerez; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A funeral service honoring Richard's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at First Methodist Church in Carthage with Rev. Kevin Otto officiating. Interment will follow at Macedonia Cemetery under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Garrett Cassity, Trey Patterson, Rich Castronova, Paul Gerling, Henry Robinson, and Brian Robinson.

Honorary pallbearers are William Goolsby, Larry Dorman, Ethan McMillan, R.H. Ritter, Jeff Collins, Kevin Smith, and Don Keeling.

Memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church Foundation, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, Texas 75633 or to the Panola College Foundation, 1109 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at jimerson-lipsey.com.