78R4742 MDM-D

By:  McReynolds                                                   H.R. No. 849



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The untimely passing of Alfred Cherry "Bubba" Thomas 
on January 17, 2002, at the age of 59, has brought a profound sense 
of loss to his loved ones and to the many families he benefited as a 
volunteer pilot; and
	WHEREAS, Born on October 9, 1942, in Sinton, Mr. Thomas was a 
graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University; he relocated to 
Austin in 1973 with his wife and children and, during the next two 
decades, was employed as an appraiser with Austin Savings and Loan 
and founded Thomas Custom Homes and Thomas Building Corporation; a 
short time before his passing, he had completed the construction of 
luxury townhomes in Sinton and was working on plans for the city's 
new public library; and
	WHEREAS, When his father became ill in 1990, Mr. Thomas moved 
back to Sinton to help manage the family's farming and ranching 
operations in San Patricio County; he became active in his hometown 
community, serving as board president of the Sinton Chamber of 
Commerce, board member of the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, 
and member of the Sinton Rotary Club; he also helped numerous young 
people through his generous support of Future Farmers of America 
and 4-H; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas gave further of his time and energy to 
the Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association, the 
Pepperdine University Foundation, St. Jude's Hospital, and Trikes 
for Tots; in addition, he was affiliated with Phi Delta Theta 
Fraternity and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers 
Association; and
	WHEREAS, After earning his pilot's license in the early 
1990s, Mr. Thomas often flew family and friends on special outings, 
but it was his exceptional service as a volunteer pilot for Angel 
Flight of South Texas, Legacy of Life, and Miracle Flights for Kids 
that made him a hero in the hearts of countless young patients and 
their families; the photos he took of his young passengers were a 
way he could remember each special child, while the pictures he sent 
the children served as souvenirs of their plane ride, often their 
first such experience; and
	WHEREAS, Over the past decade, he had flown more than 40,000 
passenger miles for Miracle Flights alone, delivering 117 
individuals to medical facilities for vital treatment; for his 
unwavering dedication to helping critically ill babies and 
children, he received a bronze medallion from the American 
Institute for Public Service and a 1996 Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Jefferson Volunteer Award; and
	WHEREAS, On January 17, Mr. Thomas had completed a medical 
mission in behalf of a four-year-old boy and was just a block from 
his home near the Sinton airport when his plane went down, 
tragically ending the life of this exceptional individual; and
	WHEREAS, Though Bubba Thomas is deeply missed by all who knew 
him, his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of the many people 
whose lives he so deeply touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Alfred "Bubba" Thomas 
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 
wife of 35 years, Florence "Flossie" Thomas; to his son, Wendell 
Joseph Thomas; to his daughters and son-in-law, Jessica Jones 
Thomas, Jennifer Lynn Thomas-Adams, and Eric Adams; to his 
grandson, Austin Thomas Adams; to his mother and stepfather, Joye 
Dehnisch Thomas and Ray Harris; to his sister, Joye Lynn Thomas; and 
to the many other friends and relatives of this beloved man; and, be 
it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Alfred 
Cherry "Bubba" Thomas.