Jerry Neal Thomas

Jerry Neal Thomas, 74, of Burnet, Tx and his wife of 55 years, Linda Diane Thomas, 73, went to be with our Heavenly Father one week apart from each other. Linda was welcomed into the Lord’s arms on October 1, and Jerry was welcomed into His arms on October 9.

Jerry was born on November 22, 1946 in Madisonville, Tx to Marvin and Sara Thomas. Linda was born in Houston, Tx on February 29, 1948 to Howard and Oletha Miller. They met as teenagers at Pasadena High School and fell in love. Shortly afterJerry graduated in 1965 he was drafted by the marines to fight in the Vietnam war. Linda had another year of school, but they wanted to get married before he had to leave for boot camp in California. Their parents gave their permission, and they were married on December 11, 1965. Jerry was 19 years old and Linda was 17 years old. When Jerry returned from Vietnam, he went to work at Champion Paper Mill in Pasadena, Tx which eventually became Simpson Paper Mill. They had three children, two daughters and a son, and moved to Deer Park, Tx in 1978. After a few years, Linda got a job working at J.P. Dabbs Elementary and she stayed there until she retired in 2006.  Jerry retired a few years before Linda. She and Jerry bought a home in Burnet near Linda’s parents. They both loved living in the Texas hill country and had sixteen wonderful years there together.Jerry enjoyed hunting, wood working, gardening, and playing cards. Linda enjoyed reading, traveling, walking, and playing games. They both enjoyed spending time outdoors and working on their home, but their greatest joy was spending time with their family and friends. They were wonderful parents and grandparents and were adored by their children and grandchildren. Both were always willing to help anyone who needed it, and Linda was the most gracious hostess to anyone who visited them. Most of all, Jerry and Linda loved God and lived a life that exemplified their faith in Jesus. Their love for our Heavenly Father and for each other was evident to anyone who knew them, and they instilled in their children and grandchildren a legacy of faith and love. They had 55 wonderful years of marriage and our Lord brought them home together because He knew they did not want to live apart from each other. They were loved deeply and will be missed greatly, but for those of us who believe in Jesus, this is not goodbye, but we will see you again.

Jerry and Linda are survived by their children: Sonia Patterson, Stephanie Smith and husband Tim, Kevin Thomas and wife Kerri; their grandchildren: Samantha and Ethan Smith, and Taylor and Whitney Thomas. Jerry is survived by his brother Kenneth Thomas and wife Nancy, and numerous nieces and nephews. Linda is survived by her sister, Sue Jones and husband Walter, her brother, Howard Miller Jr. and his wife Linda, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Please direct any floral arrangements to be delivered to Jenkins Funeral Home for transportation to the church for services.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11:30 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Burnet, 108 S. Vanderveer, Burnet, TX 78611. 

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