Birth date: Jan 23, 1930 Death date: Dec 21, 2020
Richard Norman Thomas was born on January 23,1930 in New Boston, Texas to William and Susie Garrett Thomas. He graduated from James Bowie High School in 1948 and from East Texas Baptist College in 1958. He was a veteran of the Kor Read Obituary
I just recently heard about this dear man of God. He truly was a blessing to all who knew him and even the ones who didn't as he never met a stranger. I always remember him passing out Bibles to people. I remember when I was a kid, he gave me a New Testament Bible and folded a dollar bill and placed it inside of the Bible. I still have that Bible and the dollar bill is still inside of it just as he had placed it. Each time I hear about the Gideon Ministry , I think about him, He was such a great example of what being a missionary really means - telling others about Jesus right where He has planted you. He will truly be missed!
Bro. Norman was very influential in my life. I remember from a young age, he always said I would go into mission work some day. At the time I said no way. I was thinking he meant foreign missions. Well, I am currently serving in a church plant in North Texas. I played the piano for him on many occasions when he spoke at the Highway 80 Rescue Mission. I also remember when he would speak he would use a nail in a brown bag as an illustration. I can still see him standing outside of the school off of school property handing out New Testaments. He will be missed!
As a Baptist Pastor for almost 40 years, I have had many good Church members, but Brother Norman was more than a good Church member, he was my friend. He was a Pastor’s dream, extremely supportive and respectful, a true Soul Winner, and a Godly man who loved the Lord supremely and lived it! I know he is now in the presence of Jesus ............._and I will one day enjoy his fellowship again.....
Pastor Eddie Taylor
One man that loved the Lord. Loved when we went to him home for praying. Hes with his pretty wife now and our Lord.
I met Norman, many years ago, Ralph Terzolo keeps track of the time for me. It was at a Gideon's introduction meeting and Norm was assigned to several of us youngsters who were interested in investing our lives in an organization that paid eternal dividends. Ralph and I were hooked, and we joined. This started a grand adventure and much of that adventure was with our friend Norm. He introduced me to sharing the scriptures with the Walking Dead. Who are the Walking Dead? Jesus explains that in the 3rd chapter of John found in the Bible. Anyway the word of God has a cure for the problem of sin which has infected humanity with death. What a fantastic opportunity Norman introduced me to. That particular meeting occurred in a large motel which is no longer there. Over the years we met on Saturday mornings for fellowship, a meal, and a time of prayer and encouragement. Several of these restaurants are no longer in existence. They have past from the scene, but my friend Norman has just stepped into the presence of the King of Kings, and Jesus knew his name and joined him with all his friends that had gone before. Norman Thomas ? Ya, I knew him and I shall be eternally indebted to him for all he taught me about eternal investments. Roger Carr
