Ottice Kelly Thomas
Ottice Kelly Thomas was born on October 6, 1941, in Elizabeth, LA to Henry King Thomas and Sarah Lawrence Thomas. Ottice Kelly Thomas, AKA Frat, Bruh, OKT, O.K., The Okiedoke, Omar Karim, Abu Yousif and the famous Joker. He was affectionately given the name Joker while working in Arabia by his coworkers because the nationals said that he trumped whatever job came his way.
O.K. (as he was commonly called) was educated in Beaumont, TX, attending Herbert High School graduating in 1959. After high school, he moved to Chicago, IL where he has many extended family members. He worked in Chicago and eventually became a member of a basketball club. During one of his games, a recruiter from Knoxville College was in attendance and immediately offered him a scholarship to Knoxville College. His first year in college, he joined Beta Epsilon (BE) Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and later was awarded a Certificate of Life Membership of the 9th District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He prided himself on always being financially prompt. While attending college, he was drafted into the Army as a PVT E1 and was stationed in Alaska. While serving in the army O.K. was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, a Drill Sergeant and received numerous awards including the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Rifle Expert, Senior Parachute Badge, and numerous Soldier of the Month awards. O.K. was in the Army for three years and was honorably discharged as an SSG E6.
Upon leaving the military, O.K. returned to Beaumont and was hired by the Goodyear Plant to work in the laboratory. While working in the Lab, O.K. noticed (as only O.K. would) several employees leaving Goodyear and inquired why they were leaving, where were they going, and what he had to do to get there. As he discovered, Goodyear was starting a new apprenticeship program in Instrumentation, Electrical and Digital Certification. In order to get into the program, he would have to take a pay cut. However, after completion of the program, the certification would give him an opportunity to apply for a commissioning job at one of the largest and newest NGL plants in the world (Juaymah Gas Plant) in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia.
O.K. completed the program, applied for and got the job with Saudi Aramco commissioning Juaymah Gas Plant that was under construction. O.K. not only commissioned the gas plant, he was instrumental in training and mentoring Saudi nationals. He led a productive career in the oil and gas industry. Because of his diligence, deep sense of pride in all that he did, skill, professionalism, fairness and vast knowledge, O.K. rose swiftly within the company and what started off as a job in a foreign country for 18 months for a tax break turned into a career that lasted 20 years. He loved his work and the world travel that it afforded him and his family.
These achievements alone did not and do not define O.K. He was a very caring, considerate and thoughtful man, always thinking outside of the box. O.K. was actively involved with his Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, establishing close friendships and actively participating in most all of the functions and events. Family, friends and acquaintances knew that he would lend an ear and very specific advice. We also knew that when that conversation was over, "Your problems would leave with you with some resolve".
O.K. loved all sports, music, traveling, working with his hands, and gardening. His yard was always beautiful and colorful. He was a Master Gardener and shared his knowledge with all who needed assistance.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents Sarah Lawrence Thomas and Henry King Thomas, his brothers James, David and Joe Thomas.
O.K. leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Judy, of 45 years, his daughters Cynthia (Larry) of Atlanta, Ga., Tiffany (Kenneth) of Katy, TX and son Joseph (Ashley) of East Columbia, TX; grandchildren, Adrianne, Tayonia, Ebone', Larry III, Cameron, Hailey, David III, Kennedy, Payton, Addisyn, Ava, Storm, Nick, Gerald; six great grandchildren, his sisters Bernadine, Pearl, Patty, Sarah and Lillie all of Beaumont, TX., sisters-in-law Lorraine Butler(Robert) and Brenda McCall (Edward), brother-in-law Allen Provost (Anitra) and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.