October 10, 1916------------------July 12, 2015
Everett LaRoque Thomas ("Rokie" "Tommy" "E. L.") was born in Paris, Texas to Oma Everett and Larena LaRoque Thomas on October 10, 1916, later moving to Greenville, Texas. Rokie's family moved to Tulsa for the start of his junior year at Central High School. While there, he met his future wife, Dorothy Jane McCully. They married after high school.

Rokie attended business school and night school at the University of Tulsa. He worked for British American and other major oil companies until forming his own company, Thomas Exploration Company, in 1952. Mr. Thomas was always grateful to Ben Floyd, President of Utica Bank, in helping him start his own business. In 1971, he was joined in business by his son, Roger. Mr. Thomas served as President of the Company until passing the reins to his son in 2014. Mr. Thomas continued going to the office daily "keeping his brain active," as he referred to himself. For 37 years, he served as Secretary to the NOMADS organization, National Equipment Oil-Manufacturing Delegates Society. He belonged to the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Petroleum Club, the Summit Club and he was a member of the Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums in Tulsa.

Mr. Thomas was an active member of Boston Avenue United Methodist, serving as usher for many years. He and his wife, Dorothy, traveled to the Holy Land and many other places around the world. They love traveling, dancing, playing golf and anything they could do together. They also made many wonderful memories with their family and friends at their weekend home at Grand Lake. He was quite a jokester and he always had a joke ready to tell anyone he met. He was frequently on the floor playing with the grandchildren and later great-grandchildren. His mission in life was to make people laugh, and he was very successful at it. He also tried to help friends and their children find jobs; he loved to help anybody he could.

E. L. Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy, of 78 years. He was a super dad to his daughter Nanci Calderwood and husband Jim, and son, Roger Thomas and wife, Georgeanna. He was known as "papa" to his beloved grandchildren, Braxton Thomas and his wife Sarah; Will Calderwood; and Jeff Thomas and wife, Ali. He loved his many great-grandchildren, Sadie, Sid, Sage, and Avery Thomas; and his step-grandchildren, Matthew and Phyllis Calderwood, Todd and Kathy Calderwood and Jamilyn, Conor and Brenner O'Donnell. Also Gloria Metts, niece, of Brideport, Texas; cousins Paul and Carolyn Smith, of Roseville, California and Peggy Bullock, of Tulsa. The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Debbie Rider and many helpful people at Montereau.

98 years and nine months is considered a long life, but far too short for those who loved him so dearly! He was an absolutely unforgettable "memory maker" his entire life.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday July 16th, 2015, in the sanctuary at Boston Avenue Methodist Church.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Music Department at Boston Avenue Methodist Church, 1301 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa 74119
Moore's Rosewood Chapel