Obituary for Leona Thomas

Ponca City Now - July 30, 2014 12:00 am

Leona Mae Thomas, 83, of Ponca City passed from this life on July 27, 2014 in her home with her husband of 63 years, Robert, by her side.

She was born on July 19th, 1931 in Tonkawa, Oklahoma to George and Thursa Schatz. She was the fourth of six children, helping to run the family farm. She graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1949. She married Robert Thomas on August 18th, 1950.

She was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Thunder and her OSU Cowboys. A devoted grandmother, she had an immeasurably positive influence on her 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. As a hostess, she was unsurpassed, hosting an annual Thanksgiving family gathering of 30-50 people for over 30 years. She was a gracious, unassuming, humble person who always thought of others before herself. To the people whose lives she touched, the world is a better place because of her.

She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Jay Thomas, her parents and three siblings.

Leona is survived by her husband of the home, Robert Thomas, two children: daughter Gaylene Patterson of Durant, Oklahoma and son Jeff; four grandchildren: Shane Patterson of Durant, Elard Thomas of Mandan, North Dakota, B.J. Patterson of Oklahoma City and Bethany Holderread of Guthrie, Oklahoma and one great grandchild, Allie Patterson of Durant. She is also survived by a brother, Jim Schatz of Talala, OK and a sister, Ann Martin of Ponca City.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the First Christian Church in Ponca City at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 1, 2014 with Reverend Larry B. Metzger, officiating.

Source: Trout Funeral Home