J Leon Thomas' Obituary
J. Leon Thomas, age 92, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Scott Burmeister officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Haven Cemetery.
Leon was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on March 28, 1931. He was the oldest of four children born to John and Lilian (King) Thomas. When Leon was young, the family moved to Okmulgee. While in school, Leon was active in the Boy Scouts program, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He was also a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. He graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1949 and entered the work force.
On January 19, 1952, he married Pauline Ruth Goedecke at the First Baptist Church in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Leon and Pauline made their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Leon worked as a truck salesman for White Trucking Company for many years until he and Pauline started their own trucking company.
In addition to work, he had many hobbies including boating and photography, and he collected guns, coins, and stamps. In retirement, Leon stayed busy working at the Post Office and worked as a poll worker on election days.
On January 1, 1954, Leon and Pauline became founding members of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, originally located at 49th and Peoria. The present church was built in 1967. At his passing, Leon was the last surviving charter member of Christ the Redeemer.
Leon is preceded in death by his wife, Pauline; his sisters, Jean and Joan Thomas; his brother, Lloyd Thomas; and his parents, John and Lillian Thomas.
Leon is survived by many nieces and nephews.
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