Funeral service for Retired MSgt David Earl Thomas, 67 of Temple, TX will be held Friday, April 21, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Christian House of Prayer in Copperas Cove, TX. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) at the church.

Burial with Full Air Force Honors will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 1:45 p.m. at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.

Brother David Thomas was promoted on April 10, 2023.

David Thomas was born to Manuel Thomas, Sr., and Ruth Ann (Smith) Thomas on November 20, 1955. He gave his life to the Lord in January 1982. Brother David joined the United States Air Force on June 1, 1974. He served during the Vietnam and Desert Storm eras.

He met Janice Henderson in 1973 while in high school. They were married on January 10, 1974. To this union, a son was born, Victor Bernard.

During David's military career, he received an Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.

David completed his Associate of Applied Science in Airport Resource Management through the Community College of the Air Force. After he retired from the Air Force in March 1998, David was employed for a brief period by AT&T in North Carolina as a Technician, following a contract with Boeing Aircraft in Saudi Arabia for three years. After his tenure in Saudi Arabia, he accepted a position with the Veterans Administration in Temple, Texas, in 2003, serving as VA Federal Policeman. During his VA employment, he later transferred to a Veterans Service Representative until he retired in August 2018.

David enjoyed playing golf in his spare time, making him a searcher of golf courses around the country. He was passionate about his family and the time spent with them on family vacations, reunions, birthdays, and holidays. He loved traveling abroad and never missed an anniversary trip, even until January 2023.

Brother David treasured meditating on the word of God. He loved talking about the Lord to whomever he met. He enjoyed expounding the word each Sunday at our family reunions. Brother David served faithfully at his Church, Christian House of Prayer, where he joined in February 2004. He served with the Transportation Auxiliary and was dedicated and committed to the Reach Out & Touch Auxiliary as a leader. He loved visiting, singing, and sharing the word of God with the patients and residents at the nursing homes. He graduated Sonship School of the Firstborn in October 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Ruth Ann Thomas, Sr.; grandparents, Ed and Vivian Nichols, and Robert and Luella Thomas; and sister, Alesia Carol Butler.

David is survived by his loving wife, Janice (Henderson) Thomas; son, Victor Thomas (Rut) of San Antonio, TX; sisters, Virginia Ewing, Vivian Lockhart, Mary Gibson, and Barbara Ann Thomas, all of Cameron, TX, Jannis Thomas of Chandler, TX, and Lelia Thomas of Houston, TX; brothers, Manuel Thomas, Jr. (Carolyn), and Harold Wayne Thomas (Robyn) of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Alesia (Michael) Starr of Carrollton, TX; a host of nieces and nephews; father and mother-in-law, David and Jean Thomas; and extended family and church family members.