Robert Allen Thomas

Robert Allen Thomas was born September 24, 1937, and passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on April 22, 2021.

Born to John and Lois Thomas, Bob was a third-generation settler of Edmond and an Edmond boy through and through.

He attended Clegern Elementary and Edmond High School. He was class President his Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years, and graduated EHS in 1955. He then attended Central State College where he was the Student Senate President his Senior year. He graduated in 1959 with a degree in Journalism.

While completing his student teaching at John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City, Bob met his soon-to-be lifelong partner, Kathleen Patterson. Following her graduation, a wonderful sixty-one-year love story was born! Bob married the love of his life at Linwood Methodist Church in Oklahoma City on November 28, 1959.

Bob began his career as a licensed realtor before joining Mutual Federal Savings and Loan in 1963. He contributed in a variety of ways, but enjoyed human resources the most because it involved helping people. Because of Bob’s background and engaging manner, he was then named the Mutuals Manager at the new Remington Park Racetrack in 1988. Following retirement, Bob focused on managing the family business until his passing.

Bob loved people, enjoyed community service, and was an avid sports fan. He served eight years in the 45^th Infantry National Guard; was a former President of Edmond Rotary and the UCO Alumni Association; and was recognized as a UCO Distinguished Former Student in 1974. Bob served as an Elder at Southern Hills Christian Church and Elder Emeritus at First Christian Church Edmond. Over the years, Bob was routinely seen in the stands of a UCO basketball or football game – regardless of the setting, Bob gathered his energy visiting and loving people.

Another of Bob’s passions was Southwestern Art. This passion was born from his love of Ruidoso, New Mexico, which he called his “happy place.” Bob and Kathy have been avid collectors for many years, and Bob served on the Edmond Visual Arts Council (EVAC) — playing a central role in much of the public art Edmond citizens enjoy today. Bob was also a docent at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum where he enjoyed sharing his in-depth knowledge of the artists and their pieces.

Those who met and knew Bob enjoyed his bright, warm smile and kind, gentle manner. He never met a stranger, loved a good and bad pun, told stories, sang ditties, and was the best whistler in town. He had a deep and constant love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He found joy in his garden, watering his plants, feeding his birds, and driving Kathy around town with their little dog, Cooper. Their favorite restaurants around Edmond knew him by name and had his favorite meals ready without even ordering. He will be missed at Cafe Icon, Alvarado’s, Fish City and Charleston’s.

Bob was proceeded in death by his parents and sister, Joan Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and his three children: Terri Turner; Robbi Kinnaird and husband, Scott; and Allen Thomas and wife, Chele. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Michele Koopman and husband, Chris; Caitlyn Deason and husband, Jared; Kelsi Thomas; Beth Anne Kinnaird and fiancé, Alan; Jack Kinnaird; Logan Turner; and Theo Kinnaird. Bob also had five wonderful great-grandchildren: Calvin Koopman, Rylan Deason, Bryce Deason, Adam Deason, and Lucas Thomas. He is also survived by his sister, Jan Boyington, and husband Don, as well as many nieces, nephews, and Thomas, Griffin, and McGill cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held for close friends and family on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 1:00p at First Christian Church Edmond. The live streaming of the service will be available at  www.fccedmond.org/thomas. Contributions in his honor can be made to Breakfast on Boulevard at First Christian Church or Good Shepherd Hospice, who took loving care of Bob in his final days.