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Sandy Thomas saw her Lord face to face on Feb. 15, 2023, at the age of 79.
Sandra Jean was born Dec. 12, 1943, on the 31st wedding anniversary of her grandparents Herman and Emilie (Meyer) Schroeder in El Reno.
She was the oldest child of Martin Carl Heinrich Schroeder and Laverne Katherine Sophia (Ahlefeld) Schroeder.
Sandy was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kingfisher.
She grew up in the Big Four community and attended Big Four School.
Sandy was confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
She graduated from Big Four School as the valedictorian in 1961.
She attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with a double bachelor’s in elementary education and family relations and child development and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Sandy married Lt. James L. Thomas of Guthrie, on May 23, 1965, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kingfi sher, five hours before she graduated from OSU.
They resided at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., while Jim completed his duties and she taught school on post. They settled in the Dallas area where Jim worked at Texas Instruments and Sandy taught elementary school. They both returned to graduate school at Texas Tech University where she completed her master’s in guidance and counseling and Jim completed his Ph.D. in industrial engineering.
They moved to Lincoln, Neb., where their oldest son, Ryan Matthew, was adopted.
Mark Aaron was born in Lincoln a few years later.
Following six years in Iowa, where Jim worked for Fisher Controls, International, and Sandy was a stay-at-home mom, the Thomas family settled in Beaumont, Texas, for 26 years where Jim served as a professor at Lamar University in the College of Engineering.
Sandy re-entered the teaching field and served as a counselor, primarily at the elementary level and worked with the Crisis Team for BISD, retiring in 2005.
Upon retirement, Jim and Sandy moved to Wimberley, Texas.
Sandy was active in her church serving in leadership rolls and participating joyfully with the women of her Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
Weekly they sewed quilts for worldwide distribution through Lutheran World Relief.
Sandy participated in Grandma’s Stocking Guild which made over 300 Christmas stockings per year for children.
She had a heart for Hays County Young Life and supported their efforts to bring Christ to youth. Sandy loved Bible study and was active in both Bible Study Fellowship and Community Bible Study serving in leadership while committing herself to regular study of the word and to prayer for others.
Sandy’s life was centered in love and service to her Lord, her family and her friends.
Sandy practiced hospitality, entertaining and cooking for others with needs. She practiced generosity with the joy of giving as her only goal.
Sandy loved her husband, Jim, and their children.
Jim and Sandy served as an example of a Christ-centered loving marriage for 58 years.
On Feb. 15, 2023, Sandy completed her race of faith triumphantly.
Sandy is survived by her husband, Jim; son Ryan Thomas of Wimberley, Texas, and his stepdaughters, Danae Moreno and Janelle Tidwell of Houston, Texas; and son Mark Thomas and wife Charissa and daughters Arabella and Emilie of Nashville, Tenn.
She is also survived by her brother Jerald Schroeder and wife Debby of Eufaula, aunt Marian Themer and aunt Frances Dungan (Leonard).
Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Judith Carol; aunts Selma Stiles (John), Mildred Meek Livingston (Fred B. Meek, II and David Livingston); uncles Alvin Schroeder (Dorothy), Hilbert Schroeder (Minnie) Paul Themer; and cousin Steven Dungan.
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