Archie "Bud" Carithers Thomas Jr.

Archie “Bud” Carithers Thomas Jr. 83 years old passed away April 18 at 1:00 PM with his wife by his side. Archie was born September 26, 1940, in Stillwater OK to Archie Carithers Thomas Sr. and Vera Elizabeth Thomas (Mayfield). Archie was preceded in death by his parents, sister Patricia Ann Cegelka, stepsister Mary Jean Thomas, and son in law Gregory William Rothlisberger. Archie received his education from Hays High School in Hays, Kansas where he received many prestigious awards as National Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society. He enjoyed entering spelling and math contest and always placing in the winning column. His senior high school year he received a Naval R.O.T.C scholarship to Harvard, A Summerfield scholarship to Kansas University, University scholarships to Stanford, Yale and Princeton. At his mother’s employment Service Pipe Line of Hays, an employee’s student is eligible each year to receive a scholarship for 4years of study by meeting the qualifications for the National Merit Scholarship program to the school of choice, which Archie chose Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Cambridge. After his graduation from MIT Archie attended OCS. The next two years Archie spent in the US Navy (Ensign) PMR missile flight safety officer stationed at Point Mugu in Lompoc, CA. After his discharge he enrolled at Stanford Law School. At Stanford he received Order of the Coif, legal education's national honorary society. After law school Archie embarked on a 32-year career in practicing law in San Francisco, CA. retiring in 1999. In 2007 Archie married Mary Ann Lawler, a Hays High school classmate. They moved to Patricia Island Estates and Golf Club on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma where many wonderful memories were made with his new family. After the wonderful years at Grand Lake they moved to Owasso, OK to be closer to family and doctors. Archie, known for his dedication and vibrant personality, leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by his loved ones. He is survived by his family, who will forever hold him close in their hearts. His wife Mary Ann Lawler Thomas, his son Archie C. Thomas III, his brother A.J. Thomas. Nephews Cole and Miles Thomas and Bill Cegelka (Michelle and children Brennan and Blake) and numerous cousins. With his marriage to Mary Ann the family became a blended family and Archie became the beloved “Papa” to all. Children Jill Rothlisberger, Kelly Kippes and Bill Moyer. Grandchildren Linsey Tompkins (Adam), Jordan Hollis, Thaylia Degner (Scott) and Miranda Moyer. Great grandchildren Jacob Tompkins and Peyton Tompkins. Archie was passionate about golf, tennis and basketball, which he played during his lifetime. He started riding his bike to the Hays golf course, which were sand greens, at 11 years old playing with a little set of used golf clubs he purchased with some of his savings. During high school he played on the HHS golf, tennis and basketball teams earning letters. He won the Kansas State Sands Green tournament in 1957, as a high school junior. He proudly displayed that First-place trophy wherever he lived for 67 years. Archie’s prized trophy is now prominently displayed in the home of his great grandson Peyton Tompkins, one of his papa’s biggest fans. Archie’s legacy of golf is carried on through his great grandchildren Jacob and Peyton. Archie spent many hours with the boys starting when they were little tykes grooming them on the finer points of golf at the Patricia Island Golf course at Grand Lake. You will often find the boys playing on local golf courses. His love for poker started at a poker establishment in Santa Barbara when he was stationed in the Navy at Point Mugu. He continued to play poker during his 32 years in the San Francisco area. After marrying Mary Ann, he frequently played at the Casino’s in the Grand Lake area during his retirement. Grandson Jordan Hollis carries on his legacy for the love of poker. Family doggies Sadie, Sally and Lily adored Archie. They would gladly spend the afternoon on his lap even when Sadie and Sally weren’t the typically size of lap dogs. Little Lily will greet him at the Rainbow bridge. Archie will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. His favorite saying was, “To know me is to love me,” from “Its’s Hard to be Humble.” His memory will live on through the many elaborate “bigger than life” stories he loved to share of the ventures of his personal life and the love he shared with his family and friends. After he became lost in the world of Alzheimer’s his dream was to get well and return home with Mary Ann and “his very close friends” (as he called the children and grands after losing the ability to know their individual names). Thank you to Oxford Glen Memory Care facility for the support and the loving care from the staff and caregivers you’ve provided during the last two years. Good Shepherd Hospice, thank you for the individual care in meeting Archie’s spiritual and comfort needs these last months. A special thank you to his hospice nurses, chaplain and social worker for the love and devoted care they provided for both Archie and Mary Ann during the last months. Our family is so grateful that their “Papa” has had such great care these last two years by so many wonderful loving caring people. Archie will be cremated, and a private family burial will be at a later date in the family burial plots at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville, OK. Donations to Alzheimer’s research would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made at https://www.alz.org. A memorial donation fund was made to Mercy Sakes 2nd Chance Dog Rescue. https://www.mercysakes2ndchancerescue.com

Archie "Bud" Carithers Thomas Jr.

September 26, 1940 - April 18, 2024