Timothy "TJ" Joe Thomas

Timothy Joe Thomas, of Groesbeck, was born June 23, 1958, to Grant and Stella (Hood) Thomas in Earth, Texas.  He finished his walk here on earth and reached his eternal home on August 29, 2023.

Known as TJ, he joined the US Army shortly after high school where he spent the next 8 years, 4 of those in Germany.

He met his wife, Debbie, in 1988, and together they joined their families, which includes three daughters and five sons.

He worked in the telecommunications industry for several years and left to become a professional truck driver until retirement.  His wife Debbie enjoyed her time riding in the big rig traveling the country with TJ.  

Along the way TJ custom built a commercial sized smoker and when he was home off the road, he had his own Barbeque business.  It was a family favorite at holidays and gatherings.

Besides his wife and family, TJ's greatest love was fishing.  He got daily fishing reports and no matter where he found himself, he knew the best place to cast a line and bring home dinner.

TJ’s family is deeply saddened by his sudden death.  He was known for his kindness, never meeting a stranger and always willing to help out anyone down on their luck.  He had a deep faith and loved to talk to you about God and often would as he felt it was important to have an open line of conversation with God all the time.

TJ is loved by all his family and will be missed dearly.  The family is currently making plans for a memorial service, but details are pending at this time.

TJ has been preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, O.C. Thomas (Amherst, TX).

He is survived by his wife, Debra “Debbie” Thomas of Groesbeck; daughters, Tabitha Thomas (Temple, TX), Jennifer Thompson (Newark, TX), and Melissa Mutua (Little Elm, TX); and sons, Jonathan Allison Thomas (Coral Springs, FL), Timothy Thomas (Lubbock, TX), Tommy Thomas (Lubbock, TX), Tyrone Thomas (Weatherford, TX) and Tyson Thomas (Lubbock, TX).  Known as "Poppy", he has 13 grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

His sisters are: Daisy Elkins (Daingerfield TX), Ollie Smith (Lubbock TX), Joyce Thomas (Lubbock TX), Betty Fletcher (Fort Worth TX), Linda Clark (Lubbock TX), Gayle Smith (Lubbock TX), Evelyn (Cookie)Thomas (Lubbock TX), and Hattie Harris (Longview TX).    His brothers are:  Willie Grant Thomas (Longview TX), Billy Ray Thomas (Dimmitt TX), Gerald Thomas (Dimmitt Tx ) and and Trent Brown (Longview TX).

The family would like to thank all those who have and are still praying for them, for all the phone calls, text messages, Facebook posts etc.  Your love and thoughts are deeply appreciated.