Walker Lee "Buddy" Thomas

Buddy Thomas passed away on October 24, 2025.  He was born in Fort Worth, Texas on March 3, 1940 to VerdNell and Walker Lee Thomas Sr.  and lived in Fort Worth his entire life.

A graduate of Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, his first and only job after college was with Southwestern Petroleum Corporation (SWEPCO), from which he retired after 50 years of dedicated service.

Buddy traveled the world for SWEPCO, selling petroleum-based products in some 120 countries across six continents. Pan American World Airways gave him the Clipper Club Award after he traveled many thousands of miles with them. After Pan Am ceased operations in 1991, he went on to become an American Airlines Executive Platinum AAdvantage member, earning more than 10 million air miles.

He was also proud to be a member of Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth for more than 50 years.

Buddy retired from SWEPCO as its Senior Vice President of International Sales in 2014. However, he continued to travel the world with his wife, Nancy, visiting the many friends he’d made through work and exploring new sights. His favorite places were Hong Kong and Singapore.

He was an owner of The White Elephant Saloon and an active investor in the redevelopment of the Fort Worth Stockyards.

He met his second wife, Eilleen Thomas, at the White Elephant when he was working as a bar back. They were married for 28 years until her death in 2011.

Buddy loved baseball and, starting in 1950, went to many Fort Worth Cats games at LaGrave Field. Buddy also attended at least one game in every major league ballpark, along with some 20 Society for American Baseball Research conventions in cities all over the U.S.

Buddy and his childhood best friend, Joe Dulle, took an annual trip to Las Vegas to play tennis, see the shows and, for Buddy, to spend all night playing the nickel slot machines. Buddy and Joe remained friends for 75 years.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Nancy Blount Thomas; his son, Kerry Thomas of Arlington, VA; his sisters, Ann Jaramio of Castle Rock, CO and Mary Olson of Littleton, CO; his brother, Pat Thomas of Crowley, TX;  his son’s mother, Susan Thomas of Fort Worth; several nieces and nephews; friends, Amy Gilbert and Juan Rangel; and many, many others in Fort Worth and around the world.

His parents, his second wife, Eilleen, and Eilleen’s sister Karen preceded him in death.

Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 4350 River Oaks Blvd.   Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association of Tarrant County are appreciated.