Olen Bryan Thomas, of North Little Rock, Rose City Community, died on July 24th, 2021 at the age of 93. He was born in Sydney, Arkansas, July 8th, 1928. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Karin Thomas, and 8 children, Allen, Glen, Bryan, Wayne, Helen, Boyd, Stuart, and Audry with their spouses. He was blessed with 21 Grandchildren and at current count, 22 Great Grandchildren. His strong faith in the Lord kept him active and faithful in Church where he taught Sunday School up till the time of his death. He was a long-time member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church of Rose City.
Olen never really retired and continued to lead a busy life involved in many community areas. He attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and was a season ticket holder for the Razorbacks. He was an avid supporter and he loved going to games at War Memorial and even attended them until recent years. He loved working with kids and was a Little League Baseball Coach at the Rose City Ball Park for 25 years where he had several highly ranked teams in the state during his tenure. In his earlier professional career, he was the Director of Urban Renewal, later named Community Development for North Little Rock for many years. Later in his career, he started a successful discount building material business in Rose City which he ran until just 1 year ago. He also was elected and served as Alderman for the City of North Little Rock for 28 years and was the longest serving Alderman the city has had.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 31th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at A Natural State Funeral Service, located at 2620 West Main Street in Jacksonville, AR.
Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.
Please Click Link for Tribute Video of Olen’s Life:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/YQYLXLRQ7PFPJZ3F
30 Comments
Praying for you all its but we know who holds his hand
What a tremendous life and testimony! Condolences to the family. May God’s peace surround your hearts.
I knew Olen as a family man, a church man and an Alderman and in all of those, a very Godly man. I was also my privilege to know several of his children and those apples fell close to the tree; a great family.
He will be missed but what a great reunion day ere long. God bless Karin and the whole family.
He will be missed by all who know him. Enjoyed being his assistant baseball coach and admire all he did for all he knew.
Our family will keep the family in our prayers
Mr. Thomas was an amazing person that lived a very full life that touched so many others’ lives in a positive way. He will be missed. Sending much love and wishes of peace and comfort to the Thomas family.
Olen was a very good always positive man. He will certainly be missed. May God bless his family.
Mr. Thomas was a cornerstone of the community and well respected. There never seemed to be an idle moment when he was around. His legacy is cemented into the hearts of all that knew him. He certainly built a life that can be celebrated. May God continue to bless his family during this difficult time.
We were sorry to hear about Olen. We were long time friends and business associates. He helped a lot of people and was good for Rose City and N L R . Prayers for the family at this time. Norman and Shirley Clifton
Yes indeed, Olen was a fine NLR citizen, businessman, and public servant ! I enjoyed serving on the city council with him in the late 80’s and early 90’s….he taught me a lot about local government and was always willing to help others. He certainly was a man of principles, and never hesitated to speak up for the people that elected him to public office, even when an issue was not popular. Olen also had a great sense of humor, and was fun to be around…it was a honor to know him ! My sincere thoughts and prayers are with his family, he will be missed.
Olen was a good friend and a great asset to the City of North Little Rock. Unfortunately, I will be unable to make it to the visitation. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Olen for his service. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Prayers for the family . I didnt know him but he sounded like a great man one who will be missed greatly .
To all the family, I have known them all and Mr. Thomas from a young age through Landmark Baptist Church, Rose City Ballpark and then some. He will be missed but he left a legacy and a testimony his family and so many others could learn from. Just popped in my head, sometimes he had all the players bunt, never forget that.Praying for you all. Randy and Becky Rogers.
It is such a blessing to have shared two grandkids with him. He was a great man that loved God, his family, and his community.
What a wonderful obituary about a man we never had the honor to meet, but what a legacy he left behind in his son,Glen.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family . Mr. Thomas will be missed. If I needed something or someone to work on a rent house he was always so helpful.. just a fountain of information..
Mr Olen was a very good Man. Always helping others. Coaching, lumber yard, and Alderman, so much more. Rest Peaceful and Thanks God Bless
I have many fond memories of Olen. Rest In Peace and blessings to family.
Boyd & family, we’re so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Sounds like he blessed with a wonderful & full life. Please know that you, your Mom & the family are in our hearts & prayers. Debbie & Bill Evans
Thank you mr. Thomas for all you’ve done for me and my husband. Will be truly missed in our hearts forever
Our deepest condolences and continued to Karin and family.
Boyd, Robin, Grace, and Evan and Thomas. You are in our prayers.
So sorry for your loss 😥
So sorry for your loss. Prayers.
Rory and I are sorry for the loss of your father. I am sure he was very proud to have such God loving men as Allen and Wayne Thomas as sons.
Praying for the family Mr Thomas will be missed dearly he is a great man and would help out anyway he could
Dear Karin, Allen and Entire Thomas Family, May GOD protect and comfort you!! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this tragic time. John 3:16
Love and prayers to all the Thomas family on the passing of Mr. Thomas. I was honored to get to spend time with and learn from him during a formative time in my life. What an outstanding mentor! I am a better man because of him.
Thank you for the kind words!
This roster of ‘Letters of Condolence ‘ is impressive ‘n plentiful regarding compliments and expressions of the many virtues of Mr. T;. Foremost in the descriptive words, should always be the fact’ Olen Thomas was a CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN. I consider him a good friend to many, and, he was an outstanding member of the NLR community. His name should grace a street or park or be inscribed on some beloved NLR or ROSE CITY location as a tribute to his generous giving of his time and talents to the people of NLR. Men like Mr. Thomas prove that a life well lived is a legacy for many generations.
Sign Guestbook