January 24, 1946-April 20, 2024
Graveside Services for Coach Howard Thomas, 78, of Jefferson, Texas will be held on Wednesday April 24, 2024, at 2:00Pm in Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Mark Crimm officiatinag and under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home.
Leslie Howard Thomas was the only child born to Leslie Harold Thomas and Marguerite French Thomas in Vivian, Louisiana. He was born on January 24, 1946, and passed away in Jefferson, Texas on April 20, 2024. Both of his parents are deceased. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Julane Ramsey Thomas; his daughter, Jenny Elizabeth Thomas, Brother-in-law, Butch Ramsay (Elgin, TX) Butch’s daughter: Raechelle & husband Richard Bechtle (Bastrop, TX) her son, Trenton Montgomery (San Marcos, TX); Butch’s son Trey & wife Melissa Ramsay and their 2 sons: George IV and Jack Ramsay (Elgin, TX)
Howard moved to Jefferson at the age of 5 when his dad transferred with his job with Arkla Gas. His early schooling was in the Hall Community and transferred into town in the 8th grade. Many lifelong friends were made in the little country school.
Howard’s life was about friendships. He treasured each and every person and valued them as individuals with uniqueness. He began working in high school in the summer at filling stations, Scurlock Oil, and roofing for contractors. He played football and was voted the most popular. He played drums in the band and often took them home on Friday night and played a little band on Saturday night but had to turn the bulldog picture around away from the party.
He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1964 and began college in Nacogdoches. In 1965, his high school sweetheart, Julane Ramsay, joined him after she graduated. They married in 1967 in Nacogdoches and the Methodist Parsonage. They graduated in 1969 from SFA University and moved back to Jefferson.
Both loved the outdoors and hunted and fished together. They were charter members of the Jefferson Bass Club and members of the SMW Hunting Club on Caddo Lake. Again, Howard was cultivating lifelong friendships.
Howard began teaching and coaching Jr. High and was affectionately named “Coach” then and now. He and Julane were blessed with a beautiful little red-headed girl, Jenny in 1975, and their whole world began to change. He worked I.P. and a college friend offered him a job as a petroleum landman. For the next 30 years, Howard flourished in this job and became a crew chief with 17 people working under him. When the oil business went down, with his wife by his side, they opened a private club in Jefferson. He also contracted with the City of Jefferson to mow Oakwood Cemetery. Howard always provided and provided well for his family. With each job change his circle of friends widened.
Howard was a true Aquarius. He had a playful spirit with a delightful sense of humor. He was loyal to all of his friends and held them as close to his heart as a person would a piece of gold. Most of them did not know how much of a treasure he considered them to be. He was uncompromising when it was something which was ethical. It was right or wrong, nothing in between. He was intelligent. He was adventurous. (Yes, he and Julane went into Central Mexico and camped at a lake with their bass boat for a week in 1974 and yes, a hurricane hit.) But most of all he was fun Loving. Howard LOVED life! He loved the people in it, and he loved everything about it.
There are some who bring a light so great that even after they are gone the light remains.
Memorials can be made to Friends of Jefferson Animals at 312 N. Walnut Street Jefferson, TX. 75657. The family has requested that everyone wear casual clothing to the graveside.