Jim Thomason

Jim W. Thomason, 85, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in Abilene. A graveside service with Chris McCurley officiating will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 27th in the Garden of Remembrance at Elmwood Memorial Park.

Jim was born on August 8, 1928 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma the son of Claude Thomason and Eunice Hill Thomason. Jim was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and man of great faith who influenced many people in his lifetime as a decorated athlete and award winning coach. He was a 1946 graduate of Holdenville High School in Holdenville, Oklahoma where he was captain of the football and basketball teams his senior year and later selected to the Holdenville High School Hall of Fame. He went on to excel in both football and track as he earned his bachelors degree at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He later received his Masters degree in education at Oklahoma University.

Jims athletic success continued when he became a coach. He served as assistant coach at Ada High School from 19511957 helping lead the football team to state championships 5 of the 6 years he was there he served as assistant football coach at Dumas High School from 19571968 winning back to back state titles in 1961 and 1962 he was head coach at Gainesville High School from 19681980 leading the team to state championships in 1974, 76, and 78. Jim left coaching in 1980 and worked as an elementary school principal until his retirement in 1988. He moved to Abilene in 2002.

Among Jims many awards, he received the 2002 Milam Award, an honor given each year to one East Central Oklahoma University alumnus who has gone on to a distinguished career he was named Panhandle Coach of the Year in track and field in 1962 and was honored as a coach for the Texas team in the 1977 Oil Bowl high school allstar football game.

Even with all of Jims athletic accomplishments, he was proudest of his family. He loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren fishing, camping and skiing. He was a proud spectator at his grandchildrens many activities from ballet to choir to numerous sporting events. He had served as an Elder at the Collinsville Church of Christ and since coming to Abilene was an active member of the Oldham Lane Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Margaret Thomason of Abilene his daughters, Janet Freeman and husband Dick of Sherman, Jean Smith and husband Jack of Abilene and Lou Ann Watson of Abilene his grandchildren, Mark Freeman and wife Lisa, Amy Jones and husband Austin, Jay Smith and wife Julia, Jeff Smith, Rebecca Abraham and husband Shawn, Katy Watson and Riley Watson his great grandson, Blake Freeman and a great grandson due in April his sister, Norma Jean Huddleston of Katy and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

His parents and a brother, Howard Thomason preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Hendrick Medical Center for their special care during Jims illness.

In honor of Jims heart for missions, the family request memorial donations be made to the New Mexico Christian Childrens Home 1356 NM Road 236Portales, NM 88130 or In Search of the Lords Way P.O. Box 371Edmond, OK 73083.

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