James H Ji Thomas , July 31, 1929 — December 09, 2018

James H. Thomas passed away on December 9, 2018. Jim was born July 31, 1929, in Fort Worth, TX to Margaret and Marvin Thomas. Jim was raised in Sulphur Springs, Texas and earned a BS in Accounting from North Texas State University.

He served in the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. Jim met Carolyn Kiatta, of Houston, Texas, while he was a petroleum landman and she was a secretary at Conoco Corporation. Jim and Carolyn married September 8, 1956, a union that has lasted 62 years.

Jim was a business leader and landman executive at Conoco, Cleary Petroleum, Grace Petroleum, and his own consulting business. He was a career-long member of the American Association of Petroleum Landmen. Jim moved his family to Oklahoma City in 1960 following a promotion with Conoco.

Entrepreneurial and principled, Jim cared for his employees as a mentor and a coach and his colleagues relied upon him as one of the hardest working members of the executive team. After his retirement as a Vice President at Grace Petroleum in 1985, Jim and Carolyn traveled extensively. He was a lifelong learner and avid reader and kept a keen awareness of political, financial and business news.

He also helped his wife launch Carolyn’s Keepsakes, an antique and estate jewelry retail business. Jim was a friend to all he met, thanks to his quick wit, smarts and down-to-earth nature. He was a sports encyclopedia and avid fan of his Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Jim was a member of St. Eugene Catholic Church and later in life was a fixture in the congregation at the Sisters of Mercy Convent Chapel. Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin “Bud” Thomas. Jim is survived by his wife, Carolyn Thomas; daughter, Kay Cowling and husband John of Denver, Colorado; daughter, Gail Thomas of Brooklyn, New York; son, Rich Thomas and wife Ronnie of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Connor Thomas, Jackie Thomas, Craig Cowling and wife Dee, Troy Cowling and wife Katie, Cara Levine and husband Jeremy and Russell Peck and wife Heidi, as well as eight great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Eugene Catholic Church on December 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of Mercy Convent c/o Sister Rose Power rose.

If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.