Robert Thomas Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The story of Robert "Bob" Douglas Thomas began in Detroit, Michigan in the summer of 1939. It was there on June 15th when he was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edmund and Dorotha Thomas. He was raised during the Great Depression with a high standard of morals and ethics which stuck with him his whole life. For his first two years of high school, he attended Bob Jones Academy in Greenville, South Carolina. He then returned to Detroit, and graduated from Denby High School, where he lettered in football and was first-chair playing the trumpet. He would later proudly bestow two of his letterman jacket "D" patches to his grandkids. Bob studied accounting at Wayne State University before working at Budd Manufacturing Company; one of Detroit's largest steel mills that produced the first all-steel automobile bodies. It was an exciting time in Detroit during the post-war era, as the region quickly returned to prominence as the global center of the automobile industry. As a car enthusiast, Bob loved working on his 56' Chevy! The Motor City's flashy big cars gleaming with chrome weren't the only thing to catch Bob's eye though...Life for him as a young man became exciting when Bob met a feisty Italian hairdresser, Genevieve "Jenni" Bernice Simpson, and they were happily married April 11th, 1959. With Bob growing up as an only child, Jenni's large family of siblings and cousins became like his own. Four years later, Bob symbolized his dedication to Jehovah through baptism on December 14th, 1963. They were blessed with two children: Robert Douglas Thomas, Jr. and Jammie Lynn Melissa "Missie" Thomas. In 1981, the family moved to Houston where Bob became known as "The Taxman" as he built his accounting and tax business helping many clients in the area. They joined the Memorial Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, where the family established many wonderful up-building friendships. Over the years they worked zealously together to share Jehovah's wonderful Bible truths throughout the community. Bob lost the love of his life when Jenni, his wife of 44 years, passed away on December 6th, 2003. He endured and maintained faith in the promise of a resurrection hope (Rev 21:4). Bob had full confidence that Jesus - "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25) - will act on his promise to bring back "all those in the memorial tombs." (John 5:28, 29; 11:24, 25). He remained in Houston and stayed close to his daughter Missie and her family. He enjoyed countless wonderful memories with them through the years, and also joined them in the Spring Shadows Congregation. Asking "Papa" to babysit was his favorite thing, as he was a hands-on grandfather to Sloane and Harrison. Bob was an avid sports fan and knew the stats! He really enjoyed road trips, and would often travel and explore the country whenever he could. He often visited his parents in Clearwater, Florida, and he made several trips to see relatives who remained in the Michigan area. He also looked forward to the annual camping trips with his "camping" family! On January 18, 2015, at the age of 75, Bob passed away peacefully in his sleep while being comforted by his loving family. He is survived by his daughter Missie, her husband Chris, son Bobby, granddaughter Sloane, grandson Harrison and so many loving dear friends. Bob will live on in our hearts and minds as we look forward to the day when we can welcome him back to a paradise Earth blessed by Jehovah God.