Johnie Clayton Thomas, 92, of Elk City, Oklahoma, was born on April 22, 1928, in Butler, Oklahoma. He was the son of Miles Arthur and Lilly (Frazier) Thomas. Johnie left this earth and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at the Woodward Alliance Hospital in Woodward, Oklahoma.
Johnie graduated Stafford High School in May of 1949. He met the love of his life, Darlene Faye Albrecht, while he was driving the Stafford school bus in Stafford, Oklahoma. She was a student riding the bus. He married Darlene on July 3, 1949 in Wheeler, Texas. His brother, James Thomas and his cousin, Robert Frazier stood as witnesses for the couple.
After getting married, Johnie and Darlene moved several times while working at what he loved, which was farming and ranching. They first moved to the Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, area for a couple of years, then on to the Foss, Oklahoma, area. In 1958 the couple moved to what is now called the Thomas home place southeast of Elk City, Oklahoma, where they currently reside.
Johnie was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, Clinton, Oklahoma, where he was baptized on October 2, 2005.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 25, 2020, at 10:00 am at the Clinton Nazarene Church, Clinton, Oklahoma. Rev. Mark Erskine will officiate. Services have been entrusted to the care of Richard and Tammy Dugger and the staff of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home in Elk City, Oklahoma.
Johnie is survived by his wife, Darlene Faye Thomas; three sons, Jason Thomas of Elk City, Oklahoma, Rodney Thomas of Canadian, Oklahoma, and Garry Thomas and his wife Stacy of Elk City, Oklahoma; daughter-in-law, Carla Thomas of Elk City, Oklahoma; twelve grandchildren, Steve Thomas and wife Tina, Clayton Thomas, J.D. Thomas and wife Cherrie, Tammy Yell and husband Mark, Chad Thomas, Jarrod Thomas and wife Lea, Stephanie Edney and husband Gabe, Shawnda Herring and husband Andrew, Stacy Davis and husband Shawn, Steven Thomas and wife Michelle, Geoffrey Thomas and wife Tisha, and Sarah Ball and husband Justin; 27 great grandchildren, and five greatgreat grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Miles Arthur and Lilly Thomas; two brothers, Trace Thomas, and James Thomas; three sisters, Nora Twyman, Dollie Newton, and Mamie Davis; and one son, Steven Thomas.
Memorials can be made to First Church of the Nazarene in care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home, P.O. Box 707, Elk City, Oklahoma 73648.
Online condolences can be sent to the family by using the online guest book at martin-duggerfuneralhome.com.