Raymond Lee Thomas, 80, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Wednesday morning, Sept. 8, 2021, at his home in Carthage, with his wife and daughters by his side. He was born on April 18, 1941, in Mexia, TX to the late Marion Monroe and Veda Mae "Jackie" Walker Thomas. He graduated from Mexia High School with the class of 1959. Raymond earned a Bachelor's Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and his Master's Degree from UT-Tyler. He married Jean Baker on Aug. 10, 1961, in Mexia. Raymond moved to Carthage in 1975, from Baytown, TX. He was band director for 20 years at many Texas school districts, retiring in 1980 from Carthage ISD.  Raymond was inducted into the Carthage Battling Bulldog Band Alumni Hall of Honor in 2015. Raymond later worked as a land man in the oil and gas industry. He was a member of Central Baptist Church. He enjoyed playing cards and games with family and friends, hanging out with the coffee shop guys, and watching any sports on television.  Raymond loved music and the Bulldogs, and was his kid's and grandkid's biggest cheerleader.  He was known for how funny he was and how excited he would get every time he heard from any of his family or friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his best friend, Butch Almany.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Thomas of Carthage; children, Connie Bishop and husband Larry of Nacogdoches, Angela Russell and husband Dean of Deadwood, and Melody Evans and fiancé Chris Hale of Bullard; brother, Jerry Thomas and wife Sandy of Plano; grandchildren, Regan Ferraraccio and husband Blaise, Russell Bishop, Kelsey Negrete and husband Mario, Bailey Smith, Lacey Smith, Tabitha Evans, Kylie Evans and fiancé Taylor Pippin, and Travis Evans; great-grandchildren, Emerald, Liliana, and Violet Ferraraccio, and Rio Negrete; step-grandchildren, Dustin and Kendall Russell, Dayton Russell, Braden and Lauren Russell, and Jordan Russell; nephews, Jason, Jeremy, and Joshua Thomas; and cousin, Jackie Walker Carney.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Glenn Hambrick officiating. The family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the funeral service.

Honorary pallbearers are Larry Bishop, Russell Bishop, Travis Evans, Dean Russell, Mario Negrete, Blaise Ferraraccio, Chris Hale, and Taylor Pippin.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Angela Hurst, Tiffany May, and Bobbie Sue Helton and all the staff of Heart's Way Hospice, and Deron Lewis and the staff of Reliable Healthcare. A special thanks to Lashunon Brown, and Melody for the loving care provided to Mr. Thomas as caregivers.

Memorials may be made to the Carthage Education Foundation, #1 Bulldog Dr., Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com .

Click on the video below to view Mr. Thomas' Funeral Service