JAMES C. THOMAS OBITUARY

Our beloved father, James C. Thomas passed away January 6, 2019, in Tulsa, Oklahoma on his 90th birthday. He was born in Alva, Oklahoma on January 6, 1929. Jim was preceded in death by his son Steven Ross Thomas. He was survived by son Michael C. Thomas (wife Laurie Phillips), daughter Cassandra T. Funderburk, son Doug Thomas (wife Kim Thomas), grandsons Michael S. Thomas (wife Caitlyn Thomas), Tyler Funderburk (wife Aimee Funderburk), Joshua Funderburk, Andrew Funderburk (wife Christina Funderburk), granddaughters Tiffany Phillips, Amber Thomas, great granddaughter Birdi Lynn Thomas, and great grandson Benjamin Thomas.
Services will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:00pm at Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 North Greenwood Ave. Plenty of parking is available.
Donations to Mental Health Association Oklahoma in lieu of flowers.
5330 East 31st Street, Suite 1000, Tulsa, OK 74135
918-585-1213

Jim Thomas grew up in Birmingham, Alabama in an orphanage. At age 13 he moved into a foster home where he lived until he dropped out of high school to enlist in the Army. He completed his GED and used the GI Bill to attend the University of Alabama. He dropped out of college for a short time. where he experienced hitch-hiking across the USA, buying his first car, working as an accountant for the IRS, working as a draftsman, then canning fruit on an assembly line. Falling asleep under a shade tree at the canning assembly line job got him fired which is what encouraged his reentry back to university!
He took an exam when considering getting his MBA, he did really well on the Law portion. This was his deciding factor to go to Law School at the University of Alabama. Jim received a Fellowship to get his master's degree at New York University after graduating from Law School. As part of his Fellowship, he taught classes. He knew quickly that he was meant to teach. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1963 where he became a professor of Law for 48 wonderful years. He described his profession as a privilege.
Jim Thomas was a Democrat, had been the Chairman of the Democratic Party, and led many successful campaigns in the state of Oklahoma. Jim championed causes for equality, inclusion, acceptance, and truth to power. During his early tenure as a TU professor, he led a demonstration against the Vietnam War. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, that was not a popular position to undertake, however, Jim knew that the United States intervention in Vietnam was wrong and he was not afraid to let it be known. He worked tirelessly on research and writing regarding the Vietnam War.
Jim fought for the bargaining rights of labor unions and represented workers and their Unions in too numerous lawsuits to mention. In 2009, he challenged the constitutionality of HB 1804. HB 1804 targeted Latinos in an effort to curtail their ability to find housing. HB 1804, among other provisions, would have put the burden on a landlord to determine the immigration status of renters. He had nothing to gain personally, he knew that there was everything to gain for that brown person to have the ability to obtain housing. More recently, Jim challenged the constitutionality of Oklahoma's voter i.d. law. He knew that it would be a difficult undertaking but took on the challenge. He believed in the integrity of our constitutional right to vote, that there should be no impediment placed in the way.
Jim loved his family more than his causes. His life goal was to see each of his children and grandchildren educated. He proudly saw that occur! He made sure that he spent quality time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed taking road trips. He would go individually with his children so he was able to spend quality time with each one. Great memories were made.
Jim Thomas, our Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Friend touched the lives of many through his generosity, humor, strong work ethic, advocacy, resilience, positive attitude, love for teaching, rich experiences, and strong love for family, he will greatly be missed. He enjoyed watching the sky. He asked once, "How can people be so busy that they don't look at the sky? Look at the beauty they are missing." He helped each of us see greatness and beauty all around us. Next time you see a beautiful sky, think of Jim Thomas and smile.


Moore's Rosewood Chapel
918-744-1202