Thursday, March 27, 2025
Jody Thomas, age 60, of Gatesville, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Friday, March 7, at Coryell Community Church. Interment followed at Hemmeline Cemetery.
William Joseph Thomas, known to all as Jody, was born Oct. 29, 1964, in Gatesville. He was the youngest child of six born to the late Billie and Doris Lee White Thomas.
Jody was raised on his family’s dairy farm: The last operating one in Coryell County. He enjoyed country living from the very beginning. Not understanding why school was necessary, he ran away from kindergarten after the first half day, did not return, and finished the rest of the year in the fields. He often reminisced about doing custom farm work and building fence at an early age. He drove his first tractor at age six and had his first fender bender on a back road two miles from home at age eight. He often shared memories of his family enjoying homemade ice cream while saying that his job was to sit on top of the churn bucket while someone else cranked. Days were filled with hard work, laughter, and responsibilities.
Jody attended grade school in Gatesville and graduated high school in 1983. He enjoyed playing football, was an active FFA member and was proud to have received the Star Chapter Farmer Award. He learned early in life that big dreams require hard work and dedication but come with hardship and disappointments. Two of the comments he would most often say when asked how are you doing, or is it going to rain, would be “Barely Makin It” and “It’s One Day Closer.”
Jody started buying, trading, and hauling cattle at a young age at the local auction and in the surrounding area. In 1986, Jody and Robin Young started dating, and they found a common interest in their love of livestock and agriculture. Jody knew she was the one for him after he took her on their first date to haul cattle and learned that she could back up a trailer. On Dec. 19, 1987, they married and began building their life together. It wasn’t until seven years later that they welcomed their first gate opener, Dodds Creek Kate. A year later, they welcomed their first and only boy, Zach, and in 2002, their baby girl arrived who he was going to call Holly, no matter what.
In 1996, Jody was given the opportunity to operate the Coryell County Commission Company, and, for the next 29 years, he dedicated his life to doing just that. Jody strived to make previous generations of ranchers proud and the legacy he would go on to build for his family. He was a lover of cattle and agriculture and enjoyed marketing livestock and cherished every relationship he built. Jody was filled with faith; he knew that God would provide, and he never worried about anything.
Jody was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Jackie, Cindy, Ricky, and Shawn.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife, Robin; daughter, Katie Wise and husband, Brian; son, Zach and wife, Keeley; daughter, Holly and fiancé, Kutter Saunders, three adorable grandchildren, Cotton and Hattie Wise, and Colson Thomas, and a new granddaughter on the way; as well as his sister, Robbie Lam and husband, Gene; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends, including Juan, Antonio, and Alex Salinas-Bolanos.
Memorials can be made to Hemmeline Cemetery Association, care of Sheila Necessary, 1050 FM 1783, Gatesville, Texas 76528.
