MACK W. THOMAS, SR.

Born on October 8, 1921 in San Antonio, Texas, Mack Willard Thomas, Sr. was the 5th of eight children that included six sons and two daughters born from the union of Enos Roland and Bessie Nile Pearson Thomas. Our Lord rewarded his life of service and obedience to be with His better angels on September 7, 2020.

A life-long resident of San Antonio, Mack graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School and Eason Barber College before embarking upon a life of service to his country.  

A devote Christian, Mack dedicated his life to God at an early age, and was a long-time active member of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church in San Antonio for over seventy years, during his tenure serving in the choir and was also an active member of Mission Five. And it was at Mt. Zion that Mack met the love of his life, D.I. Marie Thompson, to whom he was married for thirty-eight beautiful years, a union that God blessed with five wonderful children; Marva, Maxcine, Mack, Jr., Michael and Martin.

In distinguished service to his country, Mack worked as a civil servant at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and Dodd Army Air Field there as well. In answer to a higher call, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in both World War II and the Korean War, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge after those conflicts.  In a civilian capacity, he continued his career at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio from where he retired after thirty years of distinguished service as an Aircraft Inspector.

Upon retirement, never a man to let grass grow beneath his feet, he worked another eleven years at Oppenheimer Bank as a Messenger.

After his “final” retirement, Mack spent his leisure time at the Claude Black Center for seniors and also at District Two. He enjoyed dominoes immensely, was an avid bridge player, and was an accomplished artist of oil and water color paintings.  And he was a phenomenal story teller, recounting numerous stories of his youth and early adult life which held his listeners spellbound.

Later in life, he discovered love once again, marrying Virginia Ruth Carpenter Brown Thomas. They enjoyed a wonderful life, were members of the Messieurs et Mesdames Bridge Club, and travelled extensively until Ruth's health failed and she passed away after thirteen years of marriage.

Mack will be remembered for his delicious homemade Icebox Butter Cookies and Old-Fashion Pecan Praline Candy, both D. I. Marie family traditions that were also enjoyed by friends and church members alike.

Mack was preceded in death by his parents, Enos (Pop or Grandpa Phoenix) and Bessie (Gran or Grandma Phoenix) Thomas; sisters, Clara Beatrice (B) and Eula Mae (Honey); brothers, Moses, Roland, Melvin & Marvin (The Twins) and Alton (The Desert Fox) Thomas; his loving wife, D.I. Marie Thomas; daughter, Maxcine; and son, Mack, Jr.

Left to carry on Mack’s legacy is his daughter, Marva (Tommy); sons, Michael (Mary) and Martin (Felicia); fourteen grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Mack was the epitome of strength, courage, character, love and faith to us all, a life well-lived and cherished in our memories.