Luther Thomas

Luther Donald Thomas, son of Luther A. Thomas and Olie “Mable” Thomas, was born February 11, 1943 in Stilwell, Oklahoma. He departed this life on February 12, 2022 in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 79 years.

Throughout his life, Luther embraced a love of cars, and was a Ford man. For years, he worked on racecars with his brother Leon Thomas, and on many weekends, they could be found at the racetrack in Crawford County. Later, he would also restore classic cars with his brother Otis “Gene” Thomas. Together, they restored a black and white 1957 Ford Fairlane 500, which would go on to become Luther’s signature hot rod. He loved to attend car shows and cruise nights with his friends and family. Luther started work in the poultry industry with Keyton Farms in 1965, and would go on to work with Pillsbury, Hudson, Simmons, and finally Tyson as a chicken-catcher, forklift operator and foreman, before retiring in 1998. Throughout his career, he made a great many friends. He was known to be a man who knew how to work hard on the job, and have a good time at home. He never hesitated to help anyone in need, and in his last years he spent as much of his time as he could with his ’57 Ford, going fishing, and being the best papa in the world to his grandkids.

He is proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 38 years, Anita Gail Thomas, his mother and father, his brothers Leon Thomas and Gene Thomas, one granddaughter Brandy Thomas, and many close friends and other family. He has missed them all and so goes to be with them in Heaven.

He is mourned greatly by those he leaves behind, which includes his children Melvin Thomas and wife Rosie Thomas of Tahlequah, OK, Terry Thomas and wife Christy Thomas of Hampton, GA, and Amanda Thomas and husband Brandon Gilbert of Bellevue, NE; 6 grandchildren, Clay Morton, Deanna Johnson and husband Matthew, Amy Poor, Madison Burnett and husband Denton, Soren Gilbert and Alaric Gilbert; 8 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Gavin, and Ithyan Johnson, Pearce, Legend, and Maverick Poor, and Luke and Anna Gail Morton; siblings Dorothy Snowder, Sue Kellar, Carol Hames and Husband Don, Betty Shirley and husband David, Johnny Thomas and wife Helen, and Larry Thomas, along with several nieces, nephews, and other relatives and many, many friends.