Martin Louis Thomas, 86, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021 surrounded by his family at his home in Galveston, Texas. He was born in Houston Texas on September 17, 1934. Church and family were an important influence in his life. He gave his life to Christ as a teenager at Berean Baptist Church. He enjoyed singing in the choir and became an avid student of God's word.
Martin graduated from Reagan High School in 1952. He then attended De Forrests Training in Chicago and studied TV and radio repair. In 1954 he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Yerba Buena Island near Oakland California. While there, he attended Melrose Baptist Church which had an outreach ministry for sailors called the "Say So House". This outreach was based on Psalm 107:2 ...."Let the redeemed of the Lord say so". It was there where he met his beautiful bride, Wilma Katherine Gray. They married May 4, 1956 at Melrose Baptist Church.
The Navy moved them to San Diego, California, Albuquerque New Mexico and finally to Norfolk Virginia. Soon after their first child Leah was born, he completed his service in the Navy and moved to Houston Texas. Three more children...(Stephen, Sandra and Russell) were added to the family in Houston.
Martin attended Sam Houston University for a year while working at Mission Manufacturing. In 1963 he accepted a position as a service technician for Xerox where he worked until his retirement in 1982.
Martin had many interests and hobbies. First and above all else was involvement in the church. If the church doors were opened, the family was there. Although he was a man of few words, he could certainly defend his spiritual beliefs as he studied the scriptures. He loved leading the singing and teaching a men's Bible study and sometimes would fill in for the pastor. 2 Timothy 2:15....Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Dad could fix just about anything mechanical and his wheels were constantly turning on how to improve the many houses his family moved into. Walls were knocked out, kitchens remodeled, shelves and cabinets built. He enjoyed gardening, sports, painting and drawing, fishing, and even trying his hand in the kitchen. Some of his specialties were making tomato and peach jam and French bread. There was a time he experimented with a waffle iron and the many foods that could be cooked in one.
Playing bridge or 42 was certainly a family affair. Any time he got together with his parents or brother and sister in law, either the cards or dominoes would be on the table. 42 is a game that is still played by his kids and even some of the grandkids. In fact, just a few weeks ago, while on hospice, he enjoyed a few games of 42.
God certainly brought the right bride into Martin's life, as Katherine loved camping as much as he did. Since fishing and swimming was the ultimate goal for fun on any camping venture, he always found a location with a lake, river, creek, or beach. Cypress Lake Gardens was a favorite camping spot when the children were young. Hours were spent swimming, exploring, building dams, and fishing in the spring fed creek.
Martin will be greatly missed by all his family and even his favorite cat who kept close vigil on his bed these past few weeks.
Martin was preceded in death by his father, August Lafayette Thomas and his mother, Nellie Marie (Martin) Thomas.
He is survived by his children, Leah and husband Jeff Pitman, Stephen Thomas and his wife Belinda, Sandra Spice, and Russell Thomas and his wife Annie.
Grandchildren, Aaron Pitman, Daniel Pitman, Christopher Thomas, Krystal Hair, Celeste Thomas, Zechariah Jackson, Gabriel Jackson, Rachel Spice, DeeAnn Nance, and Leslee Hood. 8 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Carnes Funeral Homes
Martin graduated from Reagan High School in 1952. He then attended De Forrests Training in Chicago and studied TV and radio repair. In 1954 he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Yerba Buena Island near Oakland California. While there, he attended Melrose Baptist Church which had an outreach ministry for sailors called the "Say So House". This outreach was based on Psalm 107:2 ...."Let the redeemed of the Lord say so". It was there where he met his beautiful bride, Wilma Katherine Gray. They married May 4, 1956 at Melrose Baptist Church.
The Navy moved them to San Diego, California, Albuquerque New Mexico and finally to Norfolk Virginia. Soon after their first child Leah was born, he completed his service in the Navy and moved to Houston Texas. Three more children...(Stephen, Sandra and Russell) were added to the family in Houston.
Martin attended Sam Houston University for a year while working at Mission Manufacturing. In 1963 he accepted a position as a service technician for Xerox where he worked until his retirement in 1982.
Martin had many interests and hobbies. First and above all else was involvement in the church. If the church doors were opened, the family was there. Although he was a man of few words, he could certainly defend his spiritual beliefs as he studied the scriptures. He loved leading the singing and teaching a men's Bible study and sometimes would fill in for the pastor. 2 Timothy 2:15....Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Dad could fix just about anything mechanical and his wheels were constantly turning on how to improve the many houses his family moved into. Walls were knocked out, kitchens remodeled, shelves and cabinets built. He enjoyed gardening, sports, painting and drawing, fishing, and even trying his hand in the kitchen. Some of his specialties were making tomato and peach jam and French bread. There was a time he experimented with a waffle iron and the many foods that could be cooked in one.
Playing bridge or 42 was certainly a family affair. Any time he got together with his parents or brother and sister in law, either the cards or dominoes would be on the table. 42 is a game that is still played by his kids and even some of the grandkids. In fact, just a few weeks ago, while on hospice, he enjoyed a few games of 42.
God certainly brought the right bride into Martin's life, as Katherine loved camping as much as he did. Since fishing and swimming was the ultimate goal for fun on any camping venture, he always found a location with a lake, river, creek, or beach. Cypress Lake Gardens was a favorite camping spot when the children were young. Hours were spent swimming, exploring, building dams, and fishing in the spring fed creek.
Martin will be greatly missed by all his family and even his favorite cat who kept close vigil on his bed these past few weeks.
Martin was preceded in death by his father, August Lafayette Thomas and his mother, Nellie Marie (Martin) Thomas.
He is survived by his children, Leah and husband Jeff Pitman, Stephen Thomas and his wife Belinda, Sandra Spice, and Russell Thomas and his wife Annie.
Grandchildren, Aaron Pitman, Daniel Pitman, Christopher Thomas, Krystal Hair, Celeste Thomas, Zechariah Jackson, Gabriel Jackson, Rachel Spice, DeeAnn Nance, and Leslee Hood. 8 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Carnes Funeral Homes
Martin Louis Thomas, 86, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021 surrounded by his family at his home in Galveston, Texas. He was born in Houston Texas on September 17, 1934. Church and family were an important influence in his life. He gave his life to Christ as a teenager at Berean Baptist Church. He enjoyed singing in the choir and became an avid student of God's word.
Martin graduated from Reagan High School in 1952. He then attended De Forrests Training in Chicago and studied TV and radio repair. In 1954 he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Yerba Buena Island near Oakland California. While there, he attended Melrose Baptist Church which had an outreach ministry for sailors called the "Say So House". This outreach was based on Psalm 107:2 ...."Let the redeemed of the Lord say so". It was there where he met his beautiful bride, Wilma Katherine Gray. They married May 4, 1956 at Melrose Baptist Church.
The Navy moved them to San Diego, California, Albuquerque New Mexico and finally to Norfolk Virginia. Soon after their first child Leah was born, he completed his service in the Navy and moved to Houston Texas. Three more children...(Stephen, Sandra and Russell) were added to the family in Houston.
Martin attended Sam Houston University for a year while working at Mission Manufacturing. In 1963 he accepted a position as a service technician for Xerox where he worked until his retirement in 1982.
Martin had many interests and hobbies. First and above all else was involvement in the church. If the church doors were opened, the family was there. Although he was a man of few words, he could certainly defend his spiritual beliefs as he studied the scriptures. He loved leading the singing and teaching a men's Bible study and sometimes would fill in for the pastor. 2 Timothy 2:15....Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Dad could fix just about anything mechanical and his wheels were constantly turning on how to improve the many houses his family moved into. Walls were knocked out, kitchens remodeled, shelves and cabinets built. He enjoyed gardening, sports, painting and drawing, fishing, and even trying his hand in the kitchen. Some of his specialties were making tomato and peach jam and French bread. There was a time he experimented with a waffle iron and the many foods that could be cooked in one.
Playing bridge or 42 was certainly a family affair. Any time he got together with his parents or brother and sister in law, either the cards or dominoes would be on the table. 42 is a game that is still played by his kids and even some of the grandkids. In fact, just a few weeks ago, while on hospice, he enjoyed a few games of 42.
God certainly brought the right bride into Martin's life, as Katherine loved camping as much as he did. Since fishing and swimming was the ultimate goal for fun on any camping venture, he always found a location with a lake, river, creek, or beach. Cypress Lake Gardens was a favorite camping spot when the children were young. Hours were spent swimming, exploring, building dams, and fishing in the spring fed creek.
Martin will be greatly missed by all his family and even his favorite cat who kept close vigil on his bed these past few weeks.
Martin was preceded in death by his father, August Lafayette Thomas and his mother, Nellie Marie (Martin) Thomas.
He is survived by his children, Leah and husband Jeff Pitman, Stephen Thomas and his wife Belinda, Sandra Spice, and Russell Thomas and his wife Annie.
Grandchildren, Aaron Pitman, Daniel Pitman, Christopher Thomas, Krystal Hair, Celeste Thomas, Zechariah Jackson, Gabriel Jackson, Rachel Spice, DeeAnn Nance, and Leslee Hood. 8 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Carnes Funeral Homes
Martin graduated from Reagan High School in 1952. He then attended De Forrests Training in Chicago and studied TV and radio repair. In 1954 he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Yerba Buena Island near Oakland California. While there, he attended Melrose Baptist Church which had an outreach ministry for sailors called the "Say So House". This outreach was based on Psalm 107:2 ...."Let the redeemed of the Lord say so". It was there where he met his beautiful bride, Wilma Katherine Gray. They married May 4, 1956 at Melrose Baptist Church.
The Navy moved them to San Diego, California, Albuquerque New Mexico and finally to Norfolk Virginia. Soon after their first child Leah was born, he completed his service in the Navy and moved to Houston Texas. Three more children...(Stephen, Sandra and Russell) were added to the family in Houston.
Martin attended Sam Houston University for a year while working at Mission Manufacturing. In 1963 he accepted a position as a service technician for Xerox where he worked until his retirement in 1982.
Martin had many interests and hobbies. First and above all else was involvement in the church. If the church doors were opened, the family was there. Although he was a man of few words, he could certainly defend his spiritual beliefs as he studied the scriptures. He loved leading the singing and teaching a men's Bible study and sometimes would fill in for the pastor. 2 Timothy 2:15....Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Dad could fix just about anything mechanical and his wheels were constantly turning on how to improve the many houses his family moved into. Walls were knocked out, kitchens remodeled, shelves and cabinets built. He enjoyed gardening, sports, painting and drawing, fishing, and even trying his hand in the kitchen. Some of his specialties were making tomato and peach jam and French bread. There was a time he experimented with a waffle iron and the many foods that could be cooked in one.
Playing bridge or 42 was certainly a family affair. Any time he got together with his parents or brother and sister in law, either the cards or dominoes would be on the table. 42 is a game that is still played by his kids and even some of the grandkids. In fact, just a few weeks ago, while on hospice, he enjoyed a few games of 42.
God certainly brought the right bride into Martin's life, as Katherine loved camping as much as he did. Since fishing and swimming was the ultimate goal for fun on any camping venture, he always found a location with a lake, river, creek, or beach. Cypress Lake Gardens was a favorite camping spot when the children were young. Hours were spent swimming, exploring, building dams, and fishing in the spring fed creek.
Martin will be greatly missed by all his family and even his favorite cat who kept close vigil on his bed these past few weeks.
Martin was preceded in death by his father, August Lafayette Thomas and his mother, Nellie Marie (Martin) Thomas.
He is survived by his children, Leah and husband Jeff Pitman, Stephen Thomas and his wife Belinda, Sandra Spice, and Russell Thomas and his wife Annie.
Grandchildren, Aaron Pitman, Daniel Pitman, Christopher Thomas, Krystal Hair, Celeste Thomas, Zechariah Jackson, Gabriel Jackson, Rachel Spice, DeeAnn Nance, and Leslee Hood. 8 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
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