Russell Hayden Thomas passed away to join his Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 10th surrounded by his family. He was born September 21,1944 to Mozelle and Hayden Thomas in Garden City, Kansas. He grew up in south Abilene and is a 1963 graduate of Copper High School.
On August 8, 1964, Russell married Connie Conley Thomas at Polytechnic Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas. He then joined the U.S. Army Ready Reserves in 1966 until 1972. Russell and Connie later moved to Brownwood, Texas where he worked as a sales representative for Kraft General Foods Company for 34 years. After retirement, he worked for Big Rig Feed and Fertilizer in Early, Texas.
Russell and Connie created a life together on a small farm outside of Brownwood where they raised horses, cattle and sheep. They were longtime members of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church where Russell volunteered as Royal Ambassadors leader for 20 years, served as a deacon, and a Sunday school teacher. Additionally, he was Brown County 4-H Leader for many years and volunteered at the Brown County Youth Fair.
Later in life, Russell and Connie moved to Owens, Texas where they retired and raised goats. Russell said, “I have been fortunate to have a wonderful wife, children and grandchildren… a loving Savior and church family. A good horse and a good dog. A loving sister and spouse and loving aunts, uncles and cousins.” Russell was always good at sending cards for special occasions and calling to check on relatives and friends.
He loved traveling with Connie, reading the Bible, following Brownwood Lions football, good books and going to the Red Wagon Cafe to meet with his men’s prayer group. His favorite scripture from the Bible is Joshua 1:9 “I will be strong and courageous, I will not be terrified or discouraged for the Lord, my God, is with me wherever I go.”
Russell is preceded in death by his wife Connie and parents Mozelle and Hayden Thomas.
He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Scott Swilling. Children Travis Thomas and Shauna Wells; Tami and Ted Hull; and Trent and Chelsey Thomas. Grandchildren, Jurnee Thomas Hinkle and husband Dustin, Tripp Thomas, Ketch Thomas, Hunter Hull, Hannah Hull Shope and husband Daniel, Elliott Thomas, Quinncey Thomas and Garrison Thomas as well as several great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, CCC Building, Brownwood, Texas at 2:00 pm Saturday, Jan. 17 with Bill Allen officiating. Visitation will be after the service. In-Lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Coggin Avenue Baptist Church’s Building Fund https://www.cogginchurch.org/give/ or Texans on Mission. https://www.texansonmission.org/donate/
Funeral arrangements are under the directions of Blaylock Funeral Home.