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Tireless & Able Gay & AIDS Activist Addressed Republican National Committee |
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Compiled By GayToday
In October 1998, the Community Center was renamed the John Thomas Gay & Lesbian Community Center in his honor. Mr. Thomas helped found numerous organizations in Dallas, including the Black- Tie Dinner Committee, the Dallas Legal Hospice, and the Turtle Creek Chorale.
An accomplished singer, Mr. Thomas was an active member of the Turtle Creek Chorale, and most recently served as co-chair of the Cathedral of Hope's fundraising campaign to build a new Cathedral, whose membership would be inclusive for all people, gay, lesbian or heterosexual. Mr. Thomas' lengthy accomplishments include being the first openly gay Republican to address the Republican National Committee, and serving as a plaintiff in the court case to overturn section 21.06 of the Texas Criminal Code. His previous professional service includes vice president of human resources for the Dallas Times Herald, former director of personnel for the Miami Herald and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mr. Thomas was one of Dallas' most visible gay and AIDS activists. While he focused on helping the gay community, his contributions benefited the Dallas community as a whole. In addition to singing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Thomas served as foreman of a Dallas County grand jury, consulted with the Dallas Bar Association's fee dispute panel, and volunteered for the Center for Non-Profit Management. Born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Mr. Thomas grew up in Centerville, Iowa, and Quincy, Illinois. He received his B.A. in psychology from the University of Illinois and his MBA in general management from NYIT. Mr. Thomas is survived by Gary Lanham, husband; his father, the Rev. James Thomas and his stepmother, Mary, of Zanesville, Ohio; two brothers and their wives, Bob and Martha Thomas of Dallas, Jim and Jane Thomas of Detroit; one sister, Nancy Crawford of Dallas; his former sister-in-law Cel and her husband, Michael Lombard of Agoura, California; numerous nieces and nephews, Deni and her husband, Bret, Catie, Brock, Elisabeth, Missy, Rob and Blair; Desiree, Kier, Erin, Simone, Shannon, Stephen, Staci and her husband, James. Close friends include Mike Anglin, Tim Seelig, Karen Estes, Louis Kelly, Deb Trott and Kathy Harper, all of Dallas, William Waybourn of Washington D.C., and Vivian Shapiro of New York. His mother, Madelaine, preceded Mr. Thomas in death. A memorial service honoring Mr. Thomas will be held on Saturday, January 23, 1999 at 3:00p.m. at the Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, with the Rev. Carol West officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John Thomas Gay & Lesbian Community Center or the John Thomas Endowment Fund, in care of the AIDS Resource Center, 2701 Reagan Street, Dallas, Texas 75219; or to the John Thomas Bell Tower and building project of the Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, Texas 75235. |
John David Thomas 
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