of Conway, AR
May 1, 1934 - October 16, 2015
Uless Said Thomas, born May 1, 1934, in Almond, Arkansas, passed away on October 16, 2015 at Conway Regional Hospital surrounded by his family and friends.
Survivors are his wife Annette Roach Thomas, daughters Cindi Thomas Rankin (Jackie), Wendy Thomas Budnick (Thomas), and son Steve Thomas; grandchildren Matt Jackson (Megan), Luke Jackson, Jason Fowler, Robbie Martinez (Nikki), Jack Rankin III and Briana Budnick; great-grandchildren Hayden, Liam, and Blaine Martinez, Lilly Butterworth, and Ben Jackson and one brother Martin Thomas (Phyllis).
He was preceded in death by his parents Chester E. Thomas and Arkie Kerlin Thomas, sisters; Carol Heuer, Faith Brackett, and Katie Harmon and brother Stanley Thomas.
Said worked as a basketball coach in several high schools in Arkansas. He served as head basketball coach and Athletic Director at Central Baptist College for 11 years. He worked at Conway Human Development Center, State Department of Education, Arch Ford Co-op, and the Alternative School in Quitman.
He graduated from Concord High School, obtained a BSE in Physical Education from ASTC, an MSE in Physical Education from SCA, and an MSE in Special Education from UALR.
Said served as the Director of Special Olympics, Arkansas. He was inducted into Central Baptist College's Athletic Hall of Fame in its inaugural year.
Pallbearers are Said's grandchildren and sons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers are his golfing and domino buddies.
Donations may be made to Arkansas Special Olympics or Central Baptist College Athletic Department.
Visitation will be held at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway on Monday, October 19th from 6-8pm. Graveside Services will be at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Conway on Tuesday October 20th at 10:00 am.
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26 Condolence(s)
Kim Patterson Hoffman
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Mrs. Thomas, Cindi, Wendy and Steve.
I have fond memories of Mr. Thomas and all
of you at McRae. I am praying for your family
and thinking of all of you during this sad and
difficult time,
Cindi, Wendy and Steve I hope you will always
feel your dad's love and support with you in
spirit.
I hope your happy memories will comfort you
and that you will be sustained by the God;'s loving spirit and the love of your families and
friends.
I do enjoy remembering you when we were
neighbors and friends at McRae.
God Bless.
In loving sympathy from the Patterson family,
Kim Patterson Hoffman
David and Ann Peters
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Annette,
David and I are so sorry for your loss. I taught Special Education for 39 years, and I knew how Said loved the children he worked with. He touched so many lives. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Pam Holloway(pansy)
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Annette,
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in deepest sympathy.
Sandy Clay
Monday, October 19, 2015
Said was the kindest, most respectful man I have ever worked with. I loved cutting his hair at Arch Ford and listening to him talk about he and Annette's trips and their friends would take together. He loved all of his children and grandchildren so much. He was my true friend and I will join him some day w/our Lord and Stephen, and all our loved ones. God bless his sweet family. I know he will be so missed. Love,
Sandy and Joe Clay
Joyce Louise Tullos
Monday, October 19, 2015
Dear Annette, So sorry to hear of your loss. Will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Reynolds
Monday, October 19, 2015
Dear Annette and Family
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all of the families during this time. May God Bless!
Love, Judy
Mary-Catherine Flanagin Mann
Monday, October 19, 2015
Thomas Family-You are all in thoughts and prayers. Mary-Catherine
Jill Simpson
Monday, October 19, 2015
Rest in peace dear man
Bill and Sandra Lamb
Monday, October 19, 2015
Cindi and Family, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family today and the days to follow.
Linda Kelso
Monday, October 19, 2015
Annette, Wendy, Cindi and Steve, Having been blessed to have Wendy as a daughter-in-law came with many wonderful additions such as you and Said and her siblings. Said was a very special man, he and you made us, (Thomas and our family) so welcomed. Said always had a smile, kind word and he will be missed. So we will cherish the memories and hold on to the knowledge he is free from pain now and we will see him again. Our Prayers of love, strength and comfort are with you all.
bill rawlings
Monday, October 19, 2015
coach was a great friend and we had a lot of fun the 2 years I played for him at central Baptist.miss you coach.
Chris & Christy Sullivan
Monday, October 19, 2015
Dear Wendy & Thomas,
We are so sorry for your loss. Your dad will be missed by many, but leaves behind a great legacy.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15
We love you,
Chris & Christy
Cheryl Clark Roach
Monday, October 19, 2015
Thinking of my Conway family last night and our loss, with sadness and joy. The pleasure of knowing Said was front and center. Said Thomas was a presence on this earth, he made a difference. Gentle man always, he would be the definition of gentle man. Kind always. His presence will be missed by many. My prayers and love go out to Annette, his children and grands. If you knew him, he touched you in some way. His heart for special needs children was huge. He certainly touched my life with his caring example..
Barbara Glass
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Have only seen Said once since we were at ASTC but have always remembered ,him. He was a diligent focused young man with many friends, kind, and generous. I have had the utmost respect for him. My heart goes out to ,his family.
Dana Merguie Aulgur
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Said was my SpEd Supervisor at Pottsville for years. He was a special friend and loved him dearly. My love and prayers for his family. Dana
Ron and Karen Matthews
Sunday, October 18, 2015
You have our thoughts and prayers.
Tena Newberry Henderson and Jamie Courtney
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Dear Wendy, and all of your family. Jamie, an I have such wonderful memories of your sweet Dad. Growing up at CBS we were all together so often. We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for all. Please call if we can do anything at all. Love you Tena and Jamie
Wilma Robinson
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Cindi, and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Just a kind man, always generous with his time for others. Prayers are with you all.
Much love, Wilma Robinson
Farris W. Womack
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Said Thomas was a true gentleman. He was kind, gentle, concerned about others, and devoted to his family. I met Said when I was five years old, attended 12 years of school with him and we roomed together at ASTC. While we didn't see each other often after college, the friendship never faltered.
I offer my deepest sympathies to Annette and his children and take comfort in the sure knowledge that we will meet him again.
Deb Swink
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Dear Annette and Family,
My heart is broken to hear about Said. He taught me so much when I began my job as a special ed supervisor at Arch Ford. He had so much wisdom and love for our students with disabilities. He also taught me so much about life- how to stay calm and to remember to laugh! I will miss him so much and pray for your family during this sad time.
Love Deb
Cheryl Harper
Saturday, October 17, 2015
So sorry to hear of Said's death. I worked with him for several years and always enjoyed our chats, as well as his guidance. Praying for strength and and comfort for family and friends.
Sandy Clay
Saturday, October 17, 2015
So love this precious friend...he believed that SP ED kids could make it...he didn't get all worked over the things they didn't accomplish but believed in whatever they did accomplish...I loved this man and respected Said totally...God Bless his precious presence in Heaven...He is Missed love his precious family...he was a very compassionate person for those that had less and was less fortunate....God Bless you and your family!!! Love you and your sweet family; Sandy Clay your secretary at AFESC
Sandy Clay
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Annette and family;
Said was my precious family/father friend...I have cut his hair for the past 18 years... I love and respect him as I did my own Father..God bless all of you his family and the many dear friends Said had...We will meet again some day....Love you all Sandy clay
Jonny Knopp
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Annette, Cindi, Wendy and Steve my thoughts and prayers are with each of you and your families. My deepest condolences to each of you in the loss of your husband and father.
God bless,
Jonny Knopp
Mary Knopp
Janis Newman
Doug & Leigh Coffman
Saturday, October 17, 2015
We are lifting you guys up in prayer during this time of loss.
Virginia Sauce
Saturday, October 17, 2015
So sorry for your loss. May God be comfort you during this most difficult time.