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Born: January 31, 1923
Death: September 8, 2012
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Memorial donations may be made to:
Contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 404 North Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 78205, or the charity of your choice.
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Alex R. Thomas, Ph.D.
January 31, 1923 -
September 8, 2012
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Life Legacy
Alex R. Thomas Jr., Ph.D., passed away peacefully at home on September 8, 2012. Born January 31, 1923 in Burkburnet, Texas, he was preceded in death by his parents Lydia Foreman and Alex R. Thomas Sr. and his brother William E. Thomas.
Alex moved to San Antonio when he was 2 years old. He attended Alamo Heights schools graduating from Alamo Heights High School in 1940. He graduated from The University of Texas with a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1947. He received a M.S. in Mathematics from Trinity University in 1960 and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1968 from The University of Texas. He joined the Naval ROTC and served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II on the destroyer U.S.S. Gridley. He separated from the Navy as a Lt. in 1946.
On May 16, 1946 he married Louise Bird in San Antonio during one of the worst hail storms on record. He was associated with and served as President of Hom Ond Food Stores and Bird Thomas Wholesale Grocery until 1957. He taught mathematics at Trinity University. He was a pioneer in the computer industry, authored the book, System 360 Programming, and directed the first computer center at Trinity University. He was also a real estate developer. He had a deep interest in the development of offsite electronic data storage, Texas wildflowers, fly fishing, and the importance of education. He belonged to the German Club and the Order of the Alamo, the Town Club, and was a commander of the Texas Cavaliers. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was a Deacon, an Elder and a Sunday School Superintendent of Alamo Heights Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Louise Bird Thomas; daughter, Judith Lackritz and husband, Bill Long, their children, Stace Long and family, Jed Lackritz and Martha Lackritz, daughter, Laura Starks, Ph.D. and husband, David Starks, their children, Geoff Jones and family, Joshua Starks and his wife, Tania, Alex David Starks, daughter Susan Louise Thomas, and son Alex R. Thomas III and his wife Holly and their children Taylor Thomas, Channing Farris and Jordan Farris and his wife Molly, niece Barbara Brinkerhoff Wood and nephews Bill Thomas and Van Wyck Brinkerhoff.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
1:30 P.M.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
404 N. ALAMO
Reception to follow in the McCullough room.
Honorary Pallbearers are Ken Blanchard, Lukin Gilliland, Dudley Hays, Peter Hennessey, Dr. William Hinchey, Ralph Lehr, and Elkin McGaughy. The family thanks faithful caregivers Lupe, Carmen, Leticia, Dora, Maricela, Gloria, and Josie.
Contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 404 North Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 78205, or the charity of your choice.
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