Floyd Mattison Thomas, Sr., 90, of El Dorado, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Parkway Health in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born August 30, 1923, to Loyd Jones Thomas and Goldie Melissa Roden Thomas in Monett, Missouri.
After graduating from McGehee High School, he served his country as a Staff Sergeant in World War II. Floyd was proud of his participation in the liberation of the death camps in Europe at the end of the war. After the war, he returned to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to complete a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's degree in education. He was a member of the 1946-1947 Arkansas Razorbacks, the first Hog team to go to the Cotton Bowl. They played in a snowstorm to a scoreless tie against LSU. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers but elected to stay in Arkansas to coach football for the Paris High Eagles.
Floyd was a career agent for the FBI. After retirement from the FBI, he was assistant director and later director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy in East Camden. He was extremely honored to be appointed chairman of the 13th Judicial District Jail Standards Committee. After leaving the Academy, he worked as a private investigator. He was a Mason, and he loved hunting, fishing, woodworking and bragging about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death are his parents; two brothers, Clinton Henson and Billy Ray Thomas; and an infant brother, James Thomas.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Beulah Lee Campbell Thomas of El Dorado; two sons, Floyd M. Thomas, Jr. (wife Rina) of El Dorado, Frank Thomas (wife Sylvia) of Little Rock; daughter Melissa Whitfield (husband Scott) of Little Rock; a sister, Hortense Auerbach of Maryland; eight grandchildren, F. Mattison Thomas III, Gregory M. Thomas, Stephanie Thomas, Jessica Thomas, Lauren Thomas, John Thomas, Adam Whitfield and Benjamin Whitfield; and three great-grandchildren, Taylor Thomas, Emma Grace Thomas and Lily Thomas.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday, July 18, 2014, at Young's Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in El Dorado under the direction of the Reverend Keith Dodson. There will be a private burial with military honors prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 South Hill Street, El Dorado, Arkansas, 71730.
An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
July 21, 2014
Betty Pill
With deepest sympathies
July 20, 2014
Bernie Turgeon
Thinking of you all at this sad time of great loss...with love to Melissa, Scott, Adam and Ben; and to Miz Beulah and the rest of the family. Mr. Floyd was quite a guy - he will be missed.
July 20, 2014
Our sincere condolences to Floyd Thomas, Sr. and all his family.
Jay & Kathy Murphy
Hot Springs, AR 71913
July 18, 2014
Fliece Gates
Melissa,
I am sorry for your loss, but thankful your Dad had such a long, rich life. My prayers are with you and your family as you say goodbye.
July 18, 2014
Rob Worley
Floyd, Sr. was my Sunday school teacher at FUMC in El Dorado in the late 1960's. He was a good man. I still remember and repeat some of his stories as an FBI agent in the South during desegregation. My condolences to Floyd, Jr., Frank and the entire family.
July 18, 2014
Frank,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Patti and Gary Davis.
July 18, 2014
Joe Schoen
My sincere condolences to Floyd Thomas,Jr and all the family
July 18, 2014
Dorothy, Carmen & Bill Barksdale
Sincere condolences to the family. I can picture him now sitting on the front porch of the deer camp in the rocking chair, his deer stand. He left us all with great memories and a great family. He will be missed dearly.
July 18, 2014
Cassandra & Greg Harris
Lauren and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Floyd sounds like he had such an extraordinary life and left an amazing legacy. We are praying for you all, but I'm sure you are comforted in knowing his life was so fulfilling!
July 18, 2014
Pam Plummer
Floyd, one of the first things that comes to my mind when I think if your dad is that he had strong personality traits. He honored his country, loved his wife and family and was proud of his children. He was a great story teller and loved to visit, counsel and laugh with his friends. He was always kind to me. He lived a long, interesting and good life. My prayers are with you and your family.
July 18, 2014
Randy and Joyce Dennis
Melissa and Frank,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May God bless you all.
July 18, 2014
Pam Plummer
Floyd, I knew your dad for 38 years. One of the first things that comes to my mind about him is that he had powerful personality traits. He honored his country, deeply loved his wife and family, and was very proud of his children. He was also a great story teller and loved to laugh and enjoy his friends. He lived a long and impressive life. I will remember his kindness to me. My prayers are with you and your family.
July 18, 2014
bill hardin
As a young, inexperienced FBI agent in the early 1970's, it was my extraordinary opportunity to observe the real deal when I had a few chances to assist and watch Agent Thomas work his magic. He was truly
a legend in his own time. I still share with my children and grandchildren some of those recollections of Floyd at his best. Bigger than life and backing down to no one. A true American hero. My sincere sympathies for your loss but what great memories for those of us who had the opportunity to know Floyd for a brief period.
July 18, 2014
Donna and Phil Herring
Floyd, Rena and family, we are so sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
July 18, 2014
Cliff & Edie Parnell
Floyd, Frank, and Melissa, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our dads were friends in the richest sense of the word. I wonder what they are up to now. We loved your dad as well and always enjoyed hearing his stories. He will be missed.
July 17, 2014
Bob, Helen & Sandra Hicks
July 17, 2014
O.L Wise
Beulah & Family, You have my sympathy.
marjorie & I enjoyed being your across
the street neighbor for all those years.
Best wishes to you & your Family
July 17, 2014
Bob Steel
Frank, I had the pleasure of speaking to your Dad when you and I were young reporters at KATV. It took a few minutes for you to make it to the newsroom to take the call and in that short time we had a great conversation. I felt as if I had known him for years. What a remarkable life he lived. I know you will miss him but you will always have your memories of a great man who served his country and his family. My deepest sympathy to you, your family and friends.
July 17, 2014
Jenny & Matt Mauldin
Lauren-
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
July 17, 2014
Mike McKinney
My thoughts are with you Melissa and Frank. I always enjoyed conversations with "the crime fighter" back in Hogh School. He was a great man.
July 17, 2014
henry kinslow
A great life well-lived. Enjoy your eternal reward.
July 17, 2014
I never met Mr. Thomas personally, but being his son's, Frank, administrative assitant for 17 years, I feel like I know him. I wish I had known him personally. He apparently was a fine man, a proud American and a good father and husband. My deepest
sympathy to the wonderful family members he leaves behind. He will be missed.
Gay Miller, Benton, AR
July 16, 2014
LaWanda Stewart
I had the honor of getting to know Mr. Thomas and his wife while working at Timberlane Health & Rehab. He was a very proud American and we were proud of him for his services. My sympathy to Mrs. Thomas and his family.
July 16, 2014
Deb Stover
(((((((hugs))))) Melissa.... what a great, long life he lived! Prayers to you and your family. Love ya.
July 16, 2014
Steve McGuire
I had the privilege of getting to know Mr. Thomas during the past few years. He was a true example of this country's “Greatest Generation”, and I am honored to have called him my friend. I offer my deepest condolences to Mrs. Beulah, Floyd Jr., Frank, Melissa, and the rest of his family. Rest in peace, Mr. Thomas.
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