Cover photo for Gary Don Thomas's Obituary
Gary Don Thomas Profile Photo
1945 Gary 2022

Gary Don Thomas

March 7, 1945 — September 10, 2022

Gary Don Thomas, age 77, of Woodway, passed away early Saturday morning, September 10, 2022 at his residence.


Memorial Service will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, with Tommy Bowman officiating.


Gary Don was born March 7, 1945 in Dallas, the son of Littrell and Elinor (Shelton) Thomas. He was a 1963 graduate of Grand Prairie High School. He then attended Arlington State University and Oregon State University. On January 22, 1966 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bowles in Grand Prairie. Gary Don was a faithful member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco. From the time of his childhood profession of faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Gary Don adhered to that faith and continually served God, his family, and his fellow man. He worked for Central Freight Lines for many years before retiring in 2006. Gary Don invested 59 years of work experience within the trucking industry ranging from dock worker to Corporate Vice-President of Safety, Compliance and Training for Central Freight Lines.  Some of his many achievements include developing a forklift training and certification program that received a national recognition award, being selected as a Texas Safety Director of the year, Distinguished Safety Awardee, and a National Safety Director of the Year Awardee, as well as receiving the Lifetime Career Achievement Award from the Texas Trucking Association in March 2022, where he still served as a board member.  He was certified as a Transportation Safety Professional at the director level by NATMI and as a Transportation Fleet Safety Professional at the director level by the Texas Trucking Association.  Gary Don enjoyed woodworking, working on projects, listening to music, and was considered somewhat of a "perfectionist". He loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.


Gary Don is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Roger Thomas.


Survivors include his beloved wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Thomas of Woodway; his daughter, Debra Knight and husband Don of San Antonio; his son, Jeffrey Thomas and wife Sarah of Arcola, IL; nine grandchildren, Shelby Day and husband Garrison, Ryan  Spicer and fiancée Ava, Emma Scarbrough and husband Joel, Erin Knight, Reed Spicer, Brayden Knight, Makenzie Thomas, Tanner Thomas, and Tenley Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Don Thomas, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Service

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Starts at 2:30 pm (Central time)

Columbus Avenue Baptist Church

917 East B Street, Pueblo, CO 81003

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