James 'Jimmy' Thomas

In Loving Memory Of James 'Jimmy' Thomas April 7, 1970 ~ Nov. 21, 2022

James "Jimmy" Owen Thomas, 52, of Littlefield, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 21, 2022 in Lubbock. He was born April 7, 1970 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Paul and Gail (Shepard) Thomas.

Jimmy attended and graduated from Fritch High School with the Class of 1989. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country as a Hospital Corpsman, before being honorably discharged in 1993. While serving in San Diego, California he spent 10 days attached to the 1st Marine Division in Joint Task Force Los Angeles during the 1992 riots. During his time in the Navy, Jimmy was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, National Defense Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal and Naval Unit Commendation.

After serving time in the military, Jimmy came back to Texas and attended West Texas A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 1996. He later furthered his education at Sul Ross University where he earned his Masters Degree in Educational Administration in 2001.

On May 31, 1997, Jimmy married Kaylia Wilmeth in Borger, Texas and he was never shy of letting the world know how deeply he loved his wife. Together Jimmy and Kaylia raised three children, Kara, Katelynn and Jared.

In 1996, Jimmy began his coaching career at Kress High School. From 1997-1998 he coached at Sanford-Fritch High School, and 1998-2001 he was coaching in Brackettville, Texas. In 2001, Jimmy accepted his first Athletic Director/Head Coaching position at Pettus ISD. In 2002, Jimmy led Pettus ISD to become the District 32A champs. Jimmy remained in Pettus until 2003. In 2003 he moved to George West ISD and became the Athletic Director/Head Coach until 2005. In 2005 Jimmy coached at Llano ISD. Proceeding Llano, Jimmy went to Danbury ISD where he served as Athletic Director/Head Coach until 2014. In 2014, Jimmy accepted a position as AD and Head Coach for Bushland ISD. Jimmy quickly became a beloved AD and Head Coach at Bushland ISD where he stayed until 2020. In 2020, Jimmy decided to pursue a career in Administration at Channing ISD where he served as a Principal. In 2021, Jimmy moved to Littlefield, Texas where he was currently serving as AD and Head Coach for Littlefield ISD. He had the honor of coaching in the Houston Blue-Chip Senior Bowl, served as Head Coach of the 2018 ASCO All-Star Game in Lubbock, and was selected to coach the 2020 Greenbelt Bowl.

During his longevity as not only a beloved coach, but town member, and father, Jimmy received many awards and honors. In 2002 he was District 32A Football Coach of The Year. In 2012 he was awarded Brazoria County Football Staff of the Year, Danbury Football Program 2nd Place Sportsmanship Award which is nominated by the officials and awarded by the Touchdown Club of Houston, and was Texas City & LaMarque Chamber of Commerce Football Coach of the Year. In 2013 he was Brazoria County Football Staff of the Year and in 2014, Bushland was named Class 4A Army Strong Statewide Team of Week 10. In 2017 Jimmy was awarded District 4A District 1 Coach of the Year, Dave Campbell's Texas Football Statewide 4A Inspirational Coach of the Week, and Bushland was named Class 4A Army Strong Statewide Team of Week 5. Over the course of 25 years of coaching, Jimmy blessed many young athletes and families with 17 years as a Head Football Coach, closing his career with a record of 116 wins and 70 losses.

When he wasn't coaching, he enjoyed studying football, spending time with his wife and children, and reading scripture. Jimmy was a servant to all that knew him. He was always available to listen to friends or players in need and provided counsel and famous words of wisdom. If you looked at his social media pages today, you would see the vast impact he had on not only coaches, but players and students alike. Over the years, Jimmy made an immense impact on and in the communities that he served. Jimmy was a member of many churches over the years, but most recently First Baptist Church in Littlefield. He will be most remembered for his joking personality. He never met a stranger and he always had a story to tell, and oftentimes, you had heard the story before.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Kaylia Thomas of Littlefield; a son, Jared Thomas of Amarillo; two daughters, Katelynn and Marshal Mercer of Amarillo and Kara Thomas and Kathryn Broadway of Pettus, Texas; honorary grandsons, Nate Moravits and Tatum Kirkland-Mercer, and future Pops to baby Mercer due in June; parents, Paul and Sondra Thomas of Borger, Texas; mother and fatherin-law, Pat and Anita Wilmeth of Clovis, NM; sister, Melissa True and John of LaVernia, TX; sister-in-law, Starlia Clayton and Ted of Clovis, NM; and other extended family members, friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Gail Thomas; a sister, Kara Gail Thomas; and grandparents, John and Agatha Brandt and Sam and Edna Shepard.

Celebration of Life Services were held Saturday afternoon, November 26, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Littlefield with Pastor Tanner Wilson and Pastor Michael Carter officiating. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Bo Bryant, Bryan Allcorn, Bryan Gregory, Rob Ogle, Jett Hartley, Logan Mitchell, Nic Clarkson, Jose DeLaCruz, Nathan McKinnon and Matthew Arce, and the Bushland Football Coaching staff.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Littlefield Booster Club (1601 S. Phelps Ave., Littlefield, TX 79339) or the Bushland Falcon Booster Club (PO Box 575, Bushland TX 79012).

Arrangements were under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home.