James Thomason

James Neal Thomason, age 87, of Brenham, the husband of Marilyn Maddox Thomason, died August 4th, 2007 at his home following a lengthy illness. Jim Thomason was born March 28th, 1920 in Brownwood Texas to Arthur Neal and Laura Leona Griffin Thomason. He was baptized and attended the Christian Church of Brownwood. He attended Brownwood schools graduating in 1937, serving as president of his Sophomore and Junior class and as president of the Student Body in 1937. He participated and lettered in both football and track. Jim Thomason attended and graduated from Texas A&M, Class of 1941. While at Texas A&M he served in the Corps of Cadets holding the rank of Major and serving as the Intelligence Officer for the Corps. He majored in Accounting and received his degree in Agricultural Administration and a commission in the US Army Infantry as a 2nd LT. He played football from 1937 to 1940 and was a member of the 1939 National Champions. He was selected as All SWC Blocking Back and Linebacker in 1939 and 1940. He was Co-Captain of the 1940 Texas A&M SWC Co-Champions team. After graduating from Texas A&M he was drafted by the Detroit Lions. Immediately after graduation Jim Thomason was ordered to active duty where he transferred in rank to the Army Air Corps in San Antonio Texas. Upon completion of training he was ordered to combat and was credited for flying 65 combat missions in the Pacific Theater. Jim Thomason received, among other distinguished honors, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with six clusters. In addition to Jim Thomason s military honors he was also selected to the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Texas High School Hall of Fame in 2000. After being discharged in 1945 he returned to Detroit Michigan and played one year with the Detroit Lions prior to starting his accounting career in Brownwood Texas. Jim Thomason married Marilyn Maddox in 1947 and lovingly celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Maddox Thomason, daughters Marilyn Routt Thomason, Rosanna Routt and Rudy Sena, Major Ret Elizabeth King and Edward Vestal, and Meg Thomason and Jeff Janner; his brother John Arthur Thomason of Brownwood, Texas and sister Juanita Leona Thomason Roach, Hamilton Texas; Nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and three great great granddaughters and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Janeal Thomason Brandt, his sister Ruth Florey and his great grandson Jacob Randall Jackson. Funeral services for Jim Thomason will be held Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Brenham Church of Christ, with Anthony Applegate officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers are Jim s grandsons, James Thomas Locke, Leif Thomas Devemark, Carl David Devemark, Joel Neal Janner, Matthew Thomas Janner, James Ryan Locke, James Neal Locke, Justin Forrest Whitaker, Kelly Martin and great-grandson Caleb Elihu Hill. Honorary Pallbearers are Clyde Sommers, Brenham Texas and Lloyd Davis, Lampasas Texas. Memorials may be made to Brenham Church of Christ and Brazos Valley-Brenham Hospice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham.