Robert L. "Bob" Thomason, Sr.

Robert (Bob) L. Thomason, Sr., a patriotic American who served in both World War II and Korea, has gone to join his Savior, on June 28, 2016. He and his twin sister, Inamell were born October 23, 1925 on a farm near Stigler, Oklahoma to Leard and Maggie (Akins) Thomason. His family moved via covered wagon train to a farm near Oologah when he was 2 months old. Robert L. attended school at David, Vera, and Oologah, where he graduated in 1943. The Thomason family was a singing family and performed during the 1930’s and 40’s. Robert’s father, Leard, was a gospel singing teacher and would teach workshops at churches. Robert also was gifted with a beautiful singing voice. He sang with his first male gospel quartet when he was in high school. They were on the radio in Tulsa so he chose to stay in Tulsa and attended Central High School so he could make it to the radio station before school. Robert went back to graduate from Oologah High School in 1943 and got his father’s permission to join the U.S. Army Air Forces before he turned 18. He traveled all over the US training and then served a year in the Bavarian Alps in Germany. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the military he returned to Oologah. It was then he would court a young lady he had known since 3rd grade and who was also from the adjoining farm, Wendella Carroll. They married on August 27, 1947 at the Zion Hill Baptist Church. They decided to take their wedding trip to start their new life in Wenatchee, Washington to work in the apple orchards. They arrived in Washington broke and worked hard for three months to get enough money to make it back to Oklahoma. They said that experience was the best thing that ever happened to them. It taught them if they were ever to succeed they had to work together. They never moved from Oklahoma again. Robert and Wendella enrolled at Northeastern State Teachers College, where he used his GI bill and lived in the Veteran’s Village. Their son, Robert L. Thomason Jr was born at this time. They would meet half way and exchange baby Bobby for the other parent’s books. After about 18 months, Robert was called back into service for the Korean War, this time with the Army 45th Division. He sailed on a big troop ship through the Panama Canal to Japan for training and then spent a year in Korea. When Robert returned, Wendella took a teaching position in Tulsa and Robert enrolled at the University of Tulsa. A year later, they returned to Northeastern State University where he finished his degree. They moved to Centralia, OK where they both taught at the high school for one year. Robert was offered a teaching position at Bacone College in Muskogee. They moved to Muskogee in 1955 and their youngest son, Roger Allen, was born shortly after they arrived in September. Robert would say his life wasn’t all that exciting, but to sit down and listen to his stories you would soon realize that he did lead an exciting life. He taught at Bacone College for many years, owned and operated Thomason Printing Company, worked as District Manager for Representative Clem McSpadden, established the first Muskogee campus for Connors State College, flew for Civil Air Patrol, was a member of the Optimist Club for 50 years, sang with the Good News Quartet for 30+ years, member of Eastern Star for 50+ years, member of Redneck Roundtable, and was involved in many Veteran’s Associations. He was also a proud member of the First Baptist Church for 42+ years. In 1972, he helped organize the Good News Quartet which sang on the radio in Muskogee for several years and then started a ministry of singing at churches around Oklahoma. The group’s theme song was “Give The World A Smile” and in reality that was his own outlook on life; to always make the person he was talking to feel better when he left. The group changed members several times over the years but Robert was the steadfast bass. He loved to sing the good old gospel music. He didn’t quit singing with the group until he was in his 80’s. He leaves behind a legacy of cd’s for his family and friends to enjoy hearing his rich bass voice for years to come. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Wendella, who passed in April 2012; and son, Robert L Thomason Jr.; and grandchildren, Matthew and Danielle. He is survived by his son, Roger Allen and wife Susan of Warner, OK; daughter-in-law Gwen Thomason Baldwin; grandchildren, Brian, Melissa, Robert L III (Bo), Brock, Michelle, Barbara Jean (BJ), Misty, Christy, and Tim; 21 great grandchildren and counting; brother, Donald Thomason of Collinsville, OK; several very special nieces and nephews; along with many friends who will miss him dearly. Funeral services for Robert will be Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Muskogee, OK with Rev. Josh McElyea officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Collinsville, OK with Brian Thomason, Bo Thomason, Brock Thomason, Hunter Thomason, Shaylon Carter, Shay Owens, Ted Brown, and James Stanford serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of “The Redneck Roundtable”. The family requests memorials be made to the Robert L Thomason Jr Scholarship Fund, c/o Northeastern State University, 812 N. Cedar Avenue, Tahlequah, OK 74464.

Robert L. "Bob" Thomason, Sr.

October 23, 1925 - June 28, 2016