Pastor Buster Thomas

Pastor Buster Thomas, Shawnee resident, began his journey on March 4, 1939 in Hughes County. He was born in Wetumka, OK to T L and Odessa (Carolina) Thomas.  He was the 3rd of nine children.  Pastor Buster attended Wetumka Grade School, Noble Town Junior High and Wewoka High School.

Pastor Buster went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, in Shawnee, Oklahoma at the age of 81.

Pastor Buster accepted Christ at an early age and lived faithfully for Christ.  He united with Often Grove Baptist Church and later Spring Creek Baptist Church.  He sang with the Echoes of Faith and then the Willing Spirituals.

Pastor Buster met and married Dora Morrison.  He was the father of 10 children.   Together they instilled cherished lessons of love, patience and the joy of serving the Lord with a giving and helping spirit.    Pastor Buster was ordained under the leadership of Pastor H.P. Bradshaw at Salt Creek Baptist Church in Clearview, OK.  He pastored Friendship Baptist Church in Holdenville, OK.  Later he pastored Thomas Town Baptist Church.  Pastor Buster became the Assistant Pastor under the leadership of Pastor Tony Watts in Shawnee, OK.  Pastor Buster pastored at Open Arms of Faith Church and lived a life reflecting his study of the Word and sermons he preached.  He was always in His Word.  He made a priority of loving and seeing to it that his wife, Dora, was taken care of.  He was the solid rock of his family, seeing to it the word was instilled in the all of his children.  He treasured being around his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Pastor Buster also enjoyed cooking and working on lawnmowers.  He had a magnetic personality that drew people to him which led to him having a tremendous impact on those he met along his journey.

Pastor Buster is survived by his loving wife, Dora Thomas; four sons, Patrick Thomas of Shawnee, OK, Shawn Thomas of Shawnee, OK, Eddie Thomas, Melissa Thomas of Joplin, MO, Buster Thomas, Jr. of Oklahoma City, OK; three daughters, Diane Thomas of Oklahoma City, OK, Kathy Thomas of Oklahoma City, OK and Floretta Thomas of Oklahoma City, OK; one sister, Odell Hardeman of Shawnee, OK; host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and many other family and friends.

Pastor Buster was preceded in death by his parents, two sons; Clarence Morrison, Sr. and Charles Morrison, Sr. and one daughter, Sarah Louise Thomas.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Emmanuel Temple of Praise and Deliverance at 37406 Westech Rd., Shawnee, OK, with Pastor Odell Hardeman and Pastor Tony Watts officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery (Trinity Gardens Pavilion) in Shawnee, OK. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.