George Edwin (Buddy) Thomas, Jr. 83 of Friendswood, Texas passed away January 19, 2024, in Pearland, Texas. He was born October 5, 1940, in San Antonio, Texas to parents, George Edwin Thomas, Sr. and Emma Faye Yelton Thomas.

Buddy began his career in communications at NASA where he was employed from 1964 until 1974 then worked in communications and engineering at Exxon serving from 1974 until retirement in 2001.

Buddy loved the outdoors; he enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and anything that brought him outside. He was an avid car enthusiast; he especially loved vintage cars and over his lifetime owned and worked on several. His first vehicle was a 1951 Hudson and later a 1935 Oldsmobile coupe, and this started him on his love of old cars. Buddy enjoyed all kinds of music, and would listen to many different genres, from classical, rock, big band, Tejano, and classical country. Buddy had a knack for fixing things; anything that needed to be fixed Buddy could fix it.

Buddy and Patty married in 1962 and have resided in and around the Friendswood area since 1964.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Christine Kinnear Baker, and grandson, George Edwin Thomas, IV.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Patricia “Patty” Ann Tachoir Thomas, son,  Edwin Thomas, III (Tres), son and daughter-in-law, Todd Andrew and Judith Thomas, grandchildren, Courtney Elise Thomas, Ross Thomas Baker, Caitlin Elizabeth Thomas, Madison Kinnear Baker-Turner, Kyle Edwin Baker, Emma Kincade Thomas, Benjamin Tyler Thomas, Judah Seth Thomas, great grandchildren, Abigail Rose Turner, William Turner, Aaron Derek Turner, Skylar Kinnear Turner, James Dean Vallee and Olsen Erskine Hard.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held February 3, 2024, at 11:00 am at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church located at 1207 Winding Way, Friendswood, Texas, 77546 with The Reverend Justin Briggle officiating. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.