Aaron Thomas

Aaron Lee Thomas, prominent Architect of Waco, Texas, died peacefully at Providence Hospital, Waco, on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2021 at the age of 90 after a brief illness. He is survived by his sons: Aaron Lloyd and wife, Amy, of Temple; Mark Allan and wife, Jan, of Plano; and Glenn Scott and wife Sheila, of Waco; his eight grandchildren: Lauren Thomas Maggard and husband, Scott, of Dallas; Margaret Thomas Solomon and husband, Jerry, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Matthew Aaron Thomas and wife, Shannon, of Indian Hills, Colorado; Jerri Thomas Middleton and husband, Stephen, of Riverside, California; Clayton Michael Thomas and wife, Mallory, of Lubbock; Austin Scott Thomas and wife, Cassie, of China Spring; Cameron Lee Thomas of New Braunfels; and Logan Grant Thomas and wife, Chailey of China Spring; and 17 great grandchildren.

Aaron was born March 24, 1931 in Abilene, Texas to Anna Bess and Aaron Duel Thomas. Aaron moved from Abilene to Waco when he was nine. He graduated from Waco High School with honors in 1949 and met Margaret Jane Thomson on a blind date on May 19th the same year. Aaron entered the Air Force December 27, 1950. Their courtship continued as Aaron completed his tour of duty in Japan on January 5th 1954. They were married April 16, 1954 in the Chapel of First Baptist Church Waco and started their life together. Jane taught elementary school for more than 20 years in the Waco and Midway Independent School Districts.

Aaron and Jane raised three sons within the teachings of the Word of God. They encouraged their sons to pursue lifelong goals and to walk with the Lord, so they could raise their families within the Church as involved and active members. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Waco, where he served as a Deacon and helped in the Children’s Department and provided professional Architectural services for numerous additions and alterations for decades; including the Parlor, Children’s Education, Worship Center, Lobby, Chapel and the Activities Building that provided an outreach ministry to many in the community. His sons remember him as a quiet and consistent man of integrity and moral character with a strong work ethic. He had a love of the outdoors and took them camping all over the United States to experience God’s creation.  He enjoyed the continual habitual game of 84 with friends, playing golf, attending and watching sports and didn’t miss a game his sons played in. His love for Jane was deeper than the geysers they explored in Yellowstone, more powerful than the waterfalls in the Smokeys and sweeter than the bluebonnets blowing on the rolling hills in the seasonal Springs of central Texas.

Aaron loved friends and family and with Jane, sought opportunities to experience more with them, including in and out of their home in Angel Fire, New Mexico.  They were always up for an adventure, even if it had some risk to it. What more fun could there be, than to have family, friends and the great outdoors to explore life with.

Aaron loved architecture to the next level.  He began working for an Architect while in High School and never wanted to do anything else.  He was fortunate to be allowed to design his first Chapel, in Guam, while in the military and received his license to practice Architecture in Texas and seventeen other states. His projects varied from religious, medical, office, retail, restaurant, educational, recreational, residential and numerous others with noted buildings throughout the central Texas area.

Aaron accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord at 13 and made a public profession of his faith. He didn’t tell us how to live; he showed us with quiet strength and a pursuit to know the Lord more fully. He followed Jesus Christ and he still does.

Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church at 500 Webster Avenue, Waco, Texas.

A Celebration of Life is to be held in the Waco Memorial Mausoleum Chapel on Thursday, December 30th, at two o’clock in the afternoon with a gravesite ceremony shortly thereafter.