Donald A. Thomas

Donald A. Thomas, 75, of Winslow died Monday, Feb. 3, 2014. He was born Dec. 2, 1938, in Fort Smith to the late Avery and Evelyn (Brazzeal) Thomas. He was a glass-blower for 18 years at Thomas Industries in Fort Smith. In 1971, Don received the call of God and began a journey in the ministry for over 35 years. He started his pastorate in Winslow. He went from there to a small church in Chester. He then started People's Church in Fayetteville. In 1984, he pastored a church in Franklin, Texas, and then on to Hearne, Texas, where he pastored his last church before moving back to Arkansas in 1999. He was a member of Pigeon Creek Freewill Baptist Church in Mountainburg. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Feb. 5 at Bolton Cemetery in Alma, under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Alma. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Thomas; four sons, Don Thomas of Indianapolis, Ind., Mike Thomas and Darryl Thomas, both of Mountainburg, Shannon Thomas of Winslow; two sisters, June Phillips of Fayetteville, Patsy Webb of Midland, Texas; one brother, Butch Thomas of Mountainburg; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. To place an online tribute, visit www.ockerfuneralhome.com.