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12/10/2008 4:52:00 PM Email this article • Print this article

Warren Russel Thomas

Warren Russel Thomas
Dr. Warren Russel Thomas, 69, of Buena Vista died Dec. 2, 2008, after an 11-year battle with carcinoid cancer.

He was born April 26, 1939, in Emporia, Kan., to Russel and Dorothy (Hotzel) Thomas, and graduated from Emporia High School in 1957. He graduated from Emporia State University in 1961 with a chemistry degree.

In 1965, he received his doctor of optometry degree from the University of Houston. He married Sherry Lana Feltner June 26, 1965, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia. They moved to Coffeyville, Kan., in July 1965.

Dr. Thomas practiced optometry in Coffeyville from 1965 until retiring in 2005. He renovated a building in 1997 with 40,000 square feet, allowing him to add another optometrist. In May 2005, the couple moved to Buena Vista.

He served five years on the Kansas Board of Examiners and was president of Southeast Kansas Optometric Society, Evening Lions Club, Coffeyville Boys Club board and Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce.

Chairmanships included Coffeyville Pioneer Chapter of American Red Cross, Coffeyville Public Library board and Coffeyville Community College board of trustees. He participated in Vision USA through the Salvation Army.

Dr. Thomas was director of the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce transportation division and Cub Scout packmaster for Edgewood Elementary School.

Memberships included American Optometric Association, Kansas Optometric Association, Eye Care Council, Optometric Institute of the University of Houston, Heart of America Contact Lens Society, 1996 Leadership Kansas Class and Rotary.

Others included Community State Bank board of directors, Coffeyville Community College Alumni Foundation board, Southeast Kansas Area Health Council, Emporia State University Alumni board, Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited and Kansas Trails Council.

Dr. Thomas attended Grace Church. Interests were hiking, fishing, hunting, driving Kansas back roads, Colorado mountains and enjoying Kansas and Colorado wildflowers with his wife.

Survivors include his wife, Sherry of Buena Vista; sons, Brett Warren (Gina) Thomas of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Mark Darren (Jennifer) Thomas of Kansas City, Mo.; Scott Alan (Kimberly) Thomas of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; grandchildren, Annabel Lee Thomas, Gabriella Grace Thomas, Aubrey Willow Thomas and Miles Jannson Thomas; brother, Norman (Phillis), of Emporia, Kan.; aunts, Rosalee (Bob) Edminston of Americus, Kan. and Sarah Brown of Emporia; two nieces; one nephew; three grand-nieces; one grand-nephew and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Elmer and Estelle Thomas and Frederick and Julia (Schaefer) Hotzel and 13 aunts and uncles.

Funeral services were Dec. 6, 2008, at Grace Episcopal Church, West Main and Linderman, Buena Vista. A memorial service in Coffeyville will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorials to Grace Church, LSUHSC Foundation - Carcinoid/NET Research Fund and Ochsner Foundation - Zebra Fund, c/o Runyan Mortuary, P.O. Box 1668, Buena Vista, CO 81211.