Terry Ray Thomas

Terry Ray Thomas, was born on November 15, 1941 in Newman, Illinois and died June 20, 2024 in Prescott, Arizona. He was known as a professor, artist, author, poet, historian, collector (see below), storyteller, eccentric, movie lover, music lover (classical, in particular), gardener, Halloween fiend, Disney lover ("the Mouse paid for my education;" Masters in English, 1972 at California State University - Fullerton), grammar aggravator, lover of sparklers, black snakes, making homemade ice cream and barbecuing on a charcoal grill on the 4th of July, lightning-bug wrangler, wood chopper, iced-tea drinker (Lipton Instant), chili maker (straight from the garden), sweet-tooth expert, expert reviewer of doctors, lover of IMDB, warm socks wearer, croquet master, lover of Sherlock Holmes, Christmas Tree cutter, lover of spaghetti westerns (particularly with Clint Eastwood), Scorpio-whipped tail, bicycle-tag expert, deep thinker, sentimentalist (to his core), hiker, adventure seeker, nostalgia gadder, lover of TCM, British tellie-show lover, tinkerer in his workshop, Pepsi connoisseur, reader of books, seeker of learning, collector of pinbacks, gargoyles, medieval weapons, clocks, stamps, coins, stories and moments and his best title: "Dad." He'd want all who read this to read it with reverence to him. As an old soul, he would have loved to meet the reader and would encourage you to rekindle a friendship from 40 years ago or a relationship with an offspring.

Professor Thomas and Mr. Thomas (or sometimes T-Squared) were reserved for his many college students that he guided in their journeys, having taught English courses initially at Yavapai College and finally at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (having been one of the first faculty hired at the Prescott campus when it opened in 1978). T.R. or TR Thomas was reserved for his publishing, which he loved to tell anyone and everyone who would listen. He'd tell you about his newest book, New Moon Hunter, in the publishing process, if he was here. His favorite was just "Dad," to his three kids, Deahna, Terry Scott, and Courtney. He always had a story to share and called them “remember stories.” Whether it was his big production as a baby bear, being kicked off stage in the pouring rain and getting sick, bicycle-tag in a nowhere town, moving to Southern California in his teens (the ‘60s) and surfing with The Beach Boys in Newport Beach, with his cousins Steve and Mike, or how he found himself in Chino Valley, Arizona in 1973 with his first wife, Anna Colón (Lefebvre). A short time later, his oldest, Deahna, came along. He later moved to a home in Prescott, with a croquet lawn in Meadowood Park in 1977 and when his son Terry came along. In 1985, he hand-crafted an addition, with his second wife Sarah Krahn, for his incoming and youngest kiddo Courtney.

Sometimes those stories strayed from the truth - he claimed that he invented the root beer float (actually invented in 1893). But more legend than myth, if he was here, he'd tell you about Mickey and all the "famous" people that he met, while working in strollers - a "dance" with William Shatner, a friendly greeting with Clint Eastwood and the mischievous ways of his co-workers – Larry, Mona, Steve, Mark, Gary and Gene, and Bob. Undoubtedly, a remember story about a flight with Dusty Springfield and signed vinyl, in a tiny airplane. The historians are still working on this one.

In those remember stories, he loved telling stories about his sisters and children. The sister, who is a high-achieving woman, who he would dote on with affection. Or the sister, who got/won a rooster from school...that lived in the backyard...that Duke (the German Shepherd) would harass.

Deahna, his oldest, was the best costume designer for all small and large productions (to her brother). Terry Scott, the middle child, was the horizon seeker. Courtney was the kiddo and youngest, who shared a passion of mischief with him.

Above all, Terry Ray Thomas, T.R. or TR Thomas, Professor and Mr. Thomas, (sometimes T-Squared) and just “Dad,” was someone who always saw potential in whomever he engaged with. From a small, farm town in Illinois to making a difference and enriching the lives of others, he would read this, with a nod for of approval, and an apt verbal request: “provide a song.” In his own words, “listen to Dante’s Prayer by Loreena McKennitt”, which will be played at his celebration of life in October. As he would say, "See you online," wherever your "online" may be.

He is survived by: Sarah Thomas (wife), Deahna Geehan (daughter), Terry Scott Thomas (son), Courtney Thomas (daughter), Carole Jeanne Long (sister), Patricia Garcia (sister), Calysta Thomas (granddaughter), and Aleynah Thomas (granddaughter). 

He was preceded by: Georgette Thomas (mother) and Claude Thomas (father).

In lieu of flowers or cards, donations may be made in memory of Terry Thomas to the Patron’s Scholarship Fund at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Contributions may be mailed to: Office of Philanthropy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 3700 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. Checks should be made out to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and note “in Memory of Terry Thomas” on the memo line. For additional information, contact Steve Bobinsky, Executive Director of Philanthropy, Embry-Riddle Prescott 928-777-4210.