Webster, the only child of Arline "Arnie" Virginia (Carter) and James Lemuel "Lem" Thomas, was born in Fortuna, Missouri. He attended grade school in Fortuna until the family moved to Tipton, Missouri. He graduated from Tipton High School and received his BA degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia and his Masters Degree in Education from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. He married Virginia Louise Finley, daughter of Gertrude Virginia (Weyland) and Roy Jefferson Finley, on March 15, 1936.
He taught and coached at the Fortuna High School for two years, and then was superintendent there for two more years. He taught and coached at the high school in New Haven, Missouri, for two years, and then was principal and counselor at Tipton High School for many years. He was a member of the Tipton Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge no. 56, serving as Worshipful Master, secretary, and in other capacities. He also belonged to the Tipton Lions Club. Following his retirement, he accompanied and assisted his wife with her garden club activities, many of which took them all across the country.
The following article appeared in the July 31, 1980, edition of the Tipton Times.
A TRIBUTE TO WEBSTER THOMAS
Webster Thomas was a gentle man--and he was a gentleman.
His life and influence touched the lives of many, in a positive way, over a span of more than fifty years.
He is remembered in his role as high school principal. His firm hand and genuine concern for students represented everything a high school principal should be. He alwasys took an interest in his students, and made each of them feel special.
The success of many young people in business, politics, education, and yes, in life, is in no small part due to the concern and dedication of Webster Thomas.
He was a quiet man, never singing his own praises, but always involved with the welfare of others. He always took time to listen.
He was a happy man. We all remember his ready smile, his infectious grin, and his happy whistling tune, as he strolled the halls of THS.
Webster Thomas was loved and respected by students, colleagues, friends and neighbors, large and small. This tribute from one of his former students says it all. "He will be missed by those of us who knew him, but always remembered for helping us to do better than we thought we could."
Our love and sympathy are with his devoted Virginia.
Webster Thomas was a good man.
A friend.
He taught and coached at the Fortuna High School for two years, and then was superintendent there for two more years. He taught and coached at the high school in New Haven, Missouri, for two years, and then was principal and counselor at Tipton High School for many years. He was a member of the Tipton Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge no. 56, serving as Worshipful Master, secretary, and in other capacities. He also belonged to the Tipton Lions Club. Following his retirement, he accompanied and assisted his wife with her garden club activities, many of which took them all across the country.
The following article appeared in the July 31, 1980, edition of the Tipton Times.
A TRIBUTE TO WEBSTER THOMAS
Webster Thomas was a gentle man--and he was a gentleman.
His life and influence touched the lives of many, in a positive way, over a span of more than fifty years.
He is remembered in his role as high school principal. His firm hand and genuine concern for students represented everything a high school principal should be. He alwasys took an interest in his students, and made each of them feel special.
The success of many young people in business, politics, education, and yes, in life, is in no small part due to the concern and dedication of Webster Thomas.
He was a quiet man, never singing his own praises, but always involved with the welfare of others. He always took time to listen.
He was a happy man. We all remember his ready smile, his infectious grin, and his happy whistling tune, as he strolled the halls of THS.
Webster Thomas was loved and respected by students, colleagues, friends and neighbors, large and small. This tribute from one of his former students says it all. "He will be missed by those of us who knew him, but always remembered for helping us to do better than we thought we could."
Our love and sympathy are with his devoted Virginia.
Webster Thomas was a good man.
A friend.
Webster, the only child of Arline "Arnie" Virginia (Carter) and James Lemuel "Lem" Thomas, was born in Fortuna, Missouri. He attended grade school in Fortuna until the family moved to Tipton, Missouri. He graduated from Tipton High School and received his BA degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia and his Masters Degree in Education from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. He married Virginia Louise Finley, daughter of Gertrude Virginia (Weyland) and Roy Jefferson Finley, on March 15, 1936.
He taught and coached at the Fortuna High School for two years, and then was superintendent there for two more years. He taught and coached at the high school in New Haven, Missouri, for two years, and then was principal and counselor at Tipton High School for many years. He was a member of the Tipton Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge no. 56, serving as Worshipful Master, secretary, and in other capacities. He also belonged to the Tipton Lions Club. Following his retirement, he accompanied and assisted his wife with her garden club activities, many of which took them all across the country.
The following article appeared in the July 31, 1980, edition of the Tipton Times.
A TRIBUTE TO WEBSTER THOMAS
Webster Thomas was a gentle man--and he was a gentleman.
His life and influence touched the lives of many, in a positive way, over a span of more than fifty years.
He is remembered in his role as high school principal. His firm hand and genuine concern for students represented everything a high school principal should be. He alwasys took an interest in his students, and made each of them feel special.
The success of many young people in business, politics, education, and yes, in life, is in no small part due to the concern and dedication of Webster Thomas.
He was a quiet man, never singing his own praises, but always involved with the welfare of others. He always took time to listen.
He was a happy man. We all remember his ready smile, his infectious grin, and his happy whistling tune, as he strolled the halls of THS.
Webster Thomas was loved and respected by students, colleagues, friends and neighbors, large and small. This tribute from one of his former students says it all. "He will be missed by those of us who knew him, but always remembered for helping us to do better than we thought we could."
Our love and sympathy are with his devoted Virginia.
Webster Thomas was a good man.
A friend.
He taught and coached at the Fortuna High School for two years, and then was superintendent there for two more years. He taught and coached at the high school in New Haven, Missouri, for two years, and then was principal and counselor at Tipton High School for many years. He was a member of the Tipton Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge no. 56, serving as Worshipful Master, secretary, and in other capacities. He also belonged to the Tipton Lions Club. Following his retirement, he accompanied and assisted his wife with her garden club activities, many of which took them all across the country.
The following article appeared in the July 31, 1980, edition of the Tipton Times.
A TRIBUTE TO WEBSTER THOMAS
Webster Thomas was a gentle man--and he was a gentleman.
His life and influence touched the lives of many, in a positive way, over a span of more than fifty years.
He is remembered in his role as high school principal. His firm hand and genuine concern for students represented everything a high school principal should be. He alwasys took an interest in his students, and made each of them feel special.
The success of many young people in business, politics, education, and yes, in life, is in no small part due to the concern and dedication of Webster Thomas.
He was a quiet man, never singing his own praises, but always involved with the welfare of others. He always took time to listen.
He was a happy man. We all remember his ready smile, his infectious grin, and his happy whistling tune, as he strolled the halls of THS.
Webster Thomas was loved and respected by students, colleagues, friends and neighbors, large and small. This tribute from one of his former students says it all. "He will be missed by those of us who knew him, but always remembered for helping us to do better than we thought we could."
Our love and sympathy are with his devoted Virginia.
Webster Thomas was a good man.
A friend.
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