Obituary for Kathie Thomas
Kathie was born February 15, 1948 in Chicago, IL to John and Ruth DeBeikus. Kathie grew up in Harvey, Illinois where she and her sister and best friend Linda grew up together. Kathie loved her older sister dearly and through the years, they enjoyed many visits together; singing, traveling, playing bingo and shopping. Kathie graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1966 and shortly after went on to attend Lincoln Christian College. In 1970, she graduated with a Sacred Music Degree specializing in the Organ. Kathie played the organ and the piano for her church throughout her life.
Kathie and Jim met as teenagers in their church in Harvey, Illinois. They dated through high school and even attended the same college. Jim and Kathie were each other’s first and only loves. It was at Kathie’s 16th birthday party that Jim knew he would “one day marry this beautiful girl.” He gave her the Beatles 45’ record of the song ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’. It remained their song for over 50 years. Kathie would call Jim anytime and anywhere she heard that song. They had a special bond and a special love. On June 20, 1970 they were married in the church where they first met.
In 1976 Kathie and Jim moved to Oklahoma where they raised their three daughters, Wendy, Noell and RaeAnn. Eventually they settled in and made their home in Newcastle, OK.
Kathie managed the Newcastle library for nearly 30 years. Kathie was more than just a librarian. She helped many generations of people learn to read, use the computer, study for school and would even proctor college exams. She genuinely loved to help people and to encourage them to be their best self. She established the “Read to a Dog” program at the Newcastle Library that was eventually adopted by all of the Pioneer Library System. Kathie enjoyed serving on the Board of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and being a part of the Friends of the Library organization. She made many wonderful memories and lasting friendships through her work in the community. In addition to working for the Library she was the President and CEO of Gyro Gold.
Kathie was a loving wife, mother & grandma. Nothing made her smile more than to be with her family. Kathie loved to travel. She enjoyed countless fishing and road trips with her husband. Kathie loved to go on vacation with her 3 daughters. They loved to go on weekend spa getaways and shopping trips together. Her daughters could always depend on Kathie for support and encouragement. As her family grew, her grandchildren got to experience that same love. She loved to attend their softball and baseball games, karate classes, basketball games, and singing events. She was so proud of each of her grandchildren and their unique talents.
She traveled all over the country singing with this cappella barbershop harmony group in National competitions.
In her spare time, Kathie enjoyed many activities. Jim has many fond memories of playing cards with Kathie and their friends. She enjoyed paint parties with her friends and daughters. Scrapbooking was always special to her and she loved creating books filled with memories. Kathie and her daughters enjoyed music concerts, getting pedicures and hunting for treasures at garage sales. Kathie also loved genealogy. Researching her Lithuanian heritage was important to Kathie and her girls. Kathie loved to teach her daughters and grandchildren about many Lithuanian traditions. Kathie was a big OU fan. She and Jim loved to put on their OU shirts and watch games on their big screen. Jim & Kathie loved to come home and spend evenings together watching movies and listening to their favorite music from their youth. Kathie loved to relax with a cup of tea and sit beside Jim Kathie had a beautiful singing voice. God gave her a voice that sounded like an angel. As a little girl, she began singing duets with her sister Linda. As a teen, Kathie sang in church and as a young woman she sang in the Gloria Choir at Lincoln Christian College. Kathie continued singing in church throughout her adult life. As a mother she even taught her daughters to sing. Later in life, one of Kathie’s greatest joys was to sing with the women of The Sweet Adelines. in her recliner. She loved to reminisce about the good old days and remember how simple life was.
Kathie will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She was a beautiful lady with a beautiful soul. She was an honest, kind and loving person. She was funny and intelligent. Kathie had a way of making people feel special. Kathie made sure that her family knew that they were loved. She was extraordinarily wonderful. Her family is comforted knowing that Kathie is celebrating in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and she is surrounded by the family and friends that went on before her.
She was preceded in death by her:
Parents, John and Ruth DeBeikus.
She is survived by her:
Husband, Jim Thomas of 49 years
Sister, Linda Koch and husband Larry
Wendy Thomas-Pomeroy & husband Johnny of Moore, Oklahoma,
Noell Shore & husband Ross of Lexington, Oklahoma,
RaeAnn Thomas & wife Amy Lee of Moore, Oklahoma;
5 Grandchildren: Kaytlen Pomeroy, Caylin Clanton & husband Walker, Camlin Dunn, Ken Pomeroy, and Lucas Thomas;
3 Great grandchildren, Charleigh, Terri, and Waylon Clanton.
Kathie and Jim met as teenagers in their church in Harvey, Illinois. They dated through high school and even attended the same college. Jim and Kathie were each other’s first and only loves. It was at Kathie’s 16th birthday party that Jim knew he would “one day marry this beautiful girl.” He gave her the Beatles 45’ record of the song ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’. It remained their song for over 50 years. Kathie would call Jim anytime and anywhere she heard that song. They had a special bond and a special love. On June 20, 1970 they were married in the church where they first met.
In 1976 Kathie and Jim moved to Oklahoma where they raised their three daughters, Wendy, Noell and RaeAnn. Eventually they settled in and made their home in Newcastle, OK.
Kathie managed the Newcastle library for nearly 30 years. Kathie was more than just a librarian. She helped many generations of people learn to read, use the computer, study for school and would even proctor college exams. She genuinely loved to help people and to encourage them to be their best self. She established the “Read to a Dog” program at the Newcastle Library that was eventually adopted by all of the Pioneer Library System. Kathie enjoyed serving on the Board of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and being a part of the Friends of the Library organization. She made many wonderful memories and lasting friendships through her work in the community. In addition to working for the Library she was the President and CEO of Gyro Gold.
Kathie was a loving wife, mother & grandma. Nothing made her smile more than to be with her family. Kathie loved to travel. She enjoyed countless fishing and road trips with her husband. Kathie loved to go on vacation with her 3 daughters. They loved to go on weekend spa getaways and shopping trips together. Her daughters could always depend on Kathie for support and encouragement. As her family grew, her grandchildren got to experience that same love. She loved to attend their softball and baseball games, karate classes, basketball games, and singing events. She was so proud of each of her grandchildren and their unique talents.
She traveled all over the country singing with this cappella barbershop harmony group in National competitions.
In her spare time, Kathie enjoyed many activities. Jim has many fond memories of playing cards with Kathie and their friends. She enjoyed paint parties with her friends and daughters. Scrapbooking was always special to her and she loved creating books filled with memories. Kathie and her daughters enjoyed music concerts, getting pedicures and hunting for treasures at garage sales. Kathie also loved genealogy. Researching her Lithuanian heritage was important to Kathie and her girls. Kathie loved to teach her daughters and grandchildren about many Lithuanian traditions. Kathie was a big OU fan. She and Jim loved to put on their OU shirts and watch games on their big screen. Jim & Kathie loved to come home and spend evenings together watching movies and listening to their favorite music from their youth. Kathie loved to relax with a cup of tea and sit beside Jim Kathie had a beautiful singing voice. God gave her a voice that sounded like an angel. As a little girl, she began singing duets with her sister Linda. As a teen, Kathie sang in church and as a young woman she sang in the Gloria Choir at Lincoln Christian College. Kathie continued singing in church throughout her adult life. As a mother she even taught her daughters to sing. Later in life, one of Kathie’s greatest joys was to sing with the women of The Sweet Adelines. in her recliner. She loved to reminisce about the good old days and remember how simple life was.
Kathie will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She was a beautiful lady with a beautiful soul. She was an honest, kind and loving person. She was funny and intelligent. Kathie had a way of making people feel special. Kathie made sure that her family knew that they were loved. She was extraordinarily wonderful. Her family is comforted knowing that Kathie is celebrating in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and she is surrounded by the family and friends that went on before her.
She was preceded in death by her:
Parents, John and Ruth DeBeikus.
She is survived by her:
Husband, Jim Thomas of 49 years
Sister, Linda Koch and husband Larry
Wendy Thomas-Pomeroy & husband Johnny of Moore, Oklahoma,
Noell Shore & husband Ross of Lexington, Oklahoma,
RaeAnn Thomas & wife Amy Lee of Moore, Oklahoma;
5 Grandchildren: Kaytlen Pomeroy, Caylin Clanton & husband Walker, Camlin Dunn, Ken Pomeroy, and Lucas Thomas;
3 Great grandchildren, Charleigh, Terri, and Waylon Clanton.