Clyde Thomas

On May 7th, Clyde "Red" Thomas fired up the helicopter one final time for his last flight out of this earthly world, enroute to the eye of the needle for a long-awaited reunion with his wife of 46 years, Betty Ruth. We can hear the giggling and see the grins on their faces knowing they will be eternally together. Our hearts are full.Red was born November 16, 1931 in O'Donnell, Tx to Elmer "Bud" and Viola Thomas, red headed and freckled face, fiery temper to match. The family moved around a lot doing migrant work. He landed in Bennett, Tx at age 14, and joined the Air Force at age 17. He served in the Korean War. After the war, he returned to Bennett where he met Betty Ruth at a basketball game. They married on June 9, 1954.Red's early work life included Southern Airways, Petroleum Helicopters, Chevron Oil and Gas, flying NASA employees in Mississippi, fire fighters in Colorado, and flying government workers to missiles silos in South Dakota. He spent two years in Isfahan, Iran working for Bell Helicopter as a flight instructor. When Southern Airways shutdown he started his own business, which included crop dusting, game surveys, cattle herding, coyote hunting, giving rides at county fairs, and anything else someone was willing to pay for. He had a long run doing the things he loved.Red was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Betty Ruth Littlefield Thomas; parents, Bud and Viola Thomas, great-grandson, Brayden Jett Thomas; and sister Fay Herrington.He leaves to cherish his memory his sons, Doug Thomas and wife Pat, LeRoy Thomas, Keith Thomas and wife Phoebe all of Millsap, Texas. A daughter Karen Hardin and husband Cary of Waco. Grandchildren, Jayc James (Matt), Amber Thomas, Angie Ramirez (Ernie), Brandon Thomas (Haley), Chance Hardin, Barry Thomas, and 8 great-grandchildren. A sister Wilma Schraeder of Mineral Wells; several nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.Visitation will be 6-8 Friday evening at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Baum-Carlock Bumgardner Funeral Chapel with burial following at Poe Prairie.