of Clarkedale, AR

August 27, 1937 - December 21, 2021

A. Jan Thomas, Jr., was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Aug. 27, 1937, the son of Evelyn and Albert Thomas. He passed from this world on Dec. 21, 2021, at his residence in Clarkedale. Raised in the small town of Clarkedale in the years following World War II, he attended West Memphis public schools and graduated from West Memphis High School in 1955. Jan continued his education at the University of Arkansas, obtaining a B.S.B.A. in accounting in 1959 and then receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1962.

Jan began practicing law in 1963 in West Memphis with Nance Law Firm, ultimately opening his own law practice in 1965. Always looking for ways to support and assist his community, he served as former Deputy City Attorney for West Memphis, as well as a former Deputy Prosecutor for the Second Judicial District. The father of three also served as United States Bankruptcy Trustee for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jonesboro, Helena, and Batesville Districts. A member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 1969 and 1971 legislative sessions, he was recognized for his service to others and received the Outstanding Volunteer Attorney of the Year for Crittenden County in 2006 and the Lawyer Community Legacy Award from the Arkansas Bar Association in 2014. Later in his lengthy career, you could find Jan regularly meeting other local attorneys at one of several lunch spots each day in West Memphis or Marion. He relished spending time with his long-time peers and friends, while supporting local businesses.

Jan Thomas passionately devoted time to others in our community through the Boy Scouts of America and the Marion School Board. After earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 1952, he went on to lead the Marion Boy Scout Troop 72 from 1961 through 1996. Through the years he took numerous men and women from Crittenden County on countless trips to hike at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, to participate at the National Boy Scout Jamborees, and many other camping and canoeing trips. More than 60 young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the leadership and guidance of Jan. The recipient of numerous accolades from scouting, some notable awards include the Silver Beaver, Vigil Honor Order of the Arrow, Distinguished Eagle Scout, and Woodbadge. An active participant in Scouts on Stamps Society International (SOSSI), he served as its president from 2002 through 2007.

Always with an altruistic spirit, Jan believed in his community and consistently sought ways to make Crittenden County, Marion, and West Memphis better for all citizens. He knew providing a strong educational foundation was imperative for the success and betterment of students. Joining the Marion School Board in 1983, he proudly and happily served as President for 36 years. The longtime public servant has been with the district through tremendous growth and change, including the addition of new technologies and construction. Jan was involved in the Arkansas School Board Association, and much like his acknowledgements in law and Scouts, he was the recipient of its Pinnacle Award in 1999 and the Dr. Daniel L. Plinkinton Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education in 2019.

Rarely able to sit still for very long, Jan enjoyed hunting, building, and taught Sunday School at First United Methodist Church in West Memphis. Without fail you could find him headed to the mountains of southern Colorado to hunt elk and mule deer every October. The annual pilgrimage to the mountains began in 1978; this October he successfully hunted with friends and harvested turkeys, whitetail deer, fallow deer, oryx, and a black bear.

There are not adequate words to describe the love Jan had for his family. He cared greatly about his wife, children, and grandchildren. He married Frederica R. Thomas in 1961. Jan and Fritzi have three children: Jelyn Rae Thomas, Albert Janney Thomas III (Sancy Thomas), and Heather Thomas Sorrells. In addition they have six grandchildren: Savannah Thomas Tomlinson (Taylor Tomlinson), Ruth Sorrells, Alison Thomas, Emma Sorrells, Lilly Thomas, and Sterling Thomas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Albert Thomas, and his sister, Jesse Thomas Leyman. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Jan is survived by his hunting partner and brother, David W. Thomas (Patricia Thomas).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor be made to The First United Methodist Church, West Memphis, Arkansas; The Marion School District Foundation, Marion, Arkansas; or the Boy Scouts of America, Chickasaw Council, Memphis, Tennessee.

Visitation will be at the Danner Planting Company store in Clarkedale at 3961 E. Clarkedale Road, Turrell, Arkansas, on Monday, Dec. 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at the Marion Performing Arts Center on Tuesday morning, December 28, at 11:00 a.m..

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com