H.R. No. 1269

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Countless lives were touched by the inspirational leadership of Bishop Arthur LaDell Thomas of Waco, who passed away on November 11, 2014, at the age of 81; and

WHEREAS, A. LaDell Thomas was born in Waco on August 13, 1933, to Ira and Vinetta Thomas; answering the call to the ministry, he accepted his first pastoral assignment at a rural church in Caldwell; he felt drawn back to his hometown to continue his work in 1956, and he was later named superintendent for the Central Texas Pentecostal District; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, A. LaDell Thomas was appointed and consecrated a bishop in the Church of God in Christ; while he devoted his life to spreading a message of faith, he was involved in the civil rights struggle in segregated McLennan County; active in the NAACP, he joined other African American leaders in pressing for greater minority representation on the Waco City Council, and he encouraged other citizens to take to the polls as a means of ensuring that their voices were heard; and

WHEREAS, A former college instructor and school administrator, Bishop Thomas believed fervently in the power of education in securing a better life; he was the first African American to serve on the board of the La Vega Independent School District, and he personally counseled young people in his effort to steer them on the right path; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman led Deliverance and Praise Temple Church of God in Christ in Harker Heights as pastor for close to a quarter-century; guiding a congregation that was primarily composed of military personnel, he was admired for his wisdom and for the humor that he often incorporated into his lessons; during his long tenure, he was present for the deployments and homecomings of numerous members of his flock, and he continued to correspond with them while they were away in distant lands; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Thomas was the devoted husband of Elnora Thomas, with whom he lovingly raised six children; as a father, he stressed the need for perseverance in overcoming challenges in life, and he knew the delight of seeing his children follow in his footsteps to enter work in the ministry; when asked, he could always be counted on to attend prayer services and events within his community, and he was an empathetic listener who ensured that those who came to him felt valued and appreciated; and

WHEREAS, Though he did not seek recognition for his achievements, Bishop A. LaDell Thomas was renowned among his fellow citizens as a dedicated spiritual leader and a dynamic force for good; he will be greatly missed by all who walked with him along his journey, and the compassion and insight that he shared will remain a source of comfort and joy for many years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Arthur LaDell Thomas and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Elnora Massey Thomas; to his children, Bishop A. LaDell Thomas Jr. and his wife, Tihara, Supervisor Joyce L. Campbell and her husband, John, District Missionary Nora Kay Thomas, Superintendent Vayne Thomas and his wife, Yolanda, Pastor Reginald K. Thomas Sr. and his wife, Johnnie, and Superintendent Richard L. Thomas Sr. and his wife, Lillian; to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; 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 A. LaDell Thomas.

Anderson of McLennan

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1269 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 9, 2015.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House