Stuart Benson Thomas

Stuart Benson Thomas, simply known as Ben to his friends and family, passed away unexpectedly on February 1, 2026, in Round Rock, Texas at the age of 64.

Born on April 19, 1961, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ben was the youngest child of Colonel John Paul Thomas and Jenny Ruth Reesing Thomas. As an Air Force brat, he grew up a nomad of sorts, traveling with his family wherever the United States Air Force sent them. Following the family's sojourn in Albuquerque, they went to Hampton, Virginia, abroad to Naples, Italy, back to Virginia and finally to San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Randolph AFB High School, Universal City, Texas in 1979 and attended technical school, completing an apprenticeship program in precision machining. Ben's professional life was characterized by his meticulous work as a CNC Machinist, a role in which he took great pride and through which he formed many friendships.

He was a NY Mets fan who liked history and sharing fun facts. He loved his cats, and enjoyed rock & roll music including the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and Steely Dan. His favorite lasting memory was sharing the "infamous Texas Chainsaw Massacre" farmhouse with sister Lisa and brother John on a hill in Round Rock in the early 1980's where he once had an unfortunate encounter with a rattlesnake.

Ben's family was very important to him and he enjoyed a close relationship with his sister Lisa.

Circumstances took him back to live with his father in 2008 and he was an incredible help to his family as his father's health declined. He was always a fun Uncle and immensely proud of his nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Lisa Thomas Paulson. He is survived by his brother John R. Thomas and sisters Kathryn Thomas Bass and Carole Thomas Fowler, and by eight nieces and nephews.