Earl Merton Thomas, 84, of Greenville, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Greenville, Texas. A memorial service will be at 10 A.M., Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Salem Kinser Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Shaddox officiating. Coker-Mathews was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Thomas was born March 13, 1940, in DeKalb County, Alabama, to Bailey Thomas and Willene Boydston Thomas. He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Earl jumped from perfectly good airplanes, serving as a paratrooper medic in the 82nd Airborne of the United States Army, followed by a term as a firefighter. He also worked as an Arkansas State Trooper. He became a registered nurse working in physician clinics and hospitals. He started and owned several businesses, the last of which was a fence company in Arkansas until his retirement in 2005.
Upon retirement. Earl enjoyed adventurous trips with Karan, including his favorite, Machu Picchu.
He was a lifelong fisherman, enjoying many fishing trips with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving companion, Karan Ellis; sons, Barry Dale Thomas and wife Kelley of Cabot, Arkansas and James ”Jay” Corrons and wife Saundra of Conway, Arkansas; daughter, Rhonda Karyl Myers and husband Kelly of Jefferson City, Missouri; and brother, Hoyt Thomas and wife Linda of Heber Springs, Arkansas. He was blessed with six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Charles Thomas.
He was a faithful member of Salem Kinser Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem Kinser Methodist Church or the local food bank, Hunt County Shared Ministries.
