Clifford Thomas

Clifford Leslie Thomas, 78, died October 31, 2016, surrounded by his family at his home in Plains, Kansas.

Clifford was born December 1, 1937, in Medford, Oklahoma, to Leslie and Lama (Froese) Thomas. He was the oldest of five children, including Harvey, Lawanda, Jerry, and Linda. The family briefly resided in California and in Wichita, Kansas, before returning to Oklahoma. Cliff grew up on the family farm west of Medford, and graduated from Medford High School in 1955. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Kassel-Rothwestern Airfield intelligence facility in Germany. He was Honorably Discharged from the Army May 31, 1963.

Cliff attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree May 25, 1962, with a major in English and minor in Education and Journalism. His Master of Education degree was conferred May 12, 1972. Cliff accepted an English teaching position with the Plains High School in 1962, and taught there until 1965 when the school combined with Kismet High School to become Southwestern Heights High School. Cliff retired from SWH in 1996, completing 34 years with the school district.

Cliff was active in the Kansas National Education Association, serving several years as the KNEA UniServ representative for southwestern Kansas, and was elected president of the district. He then went on to serve KNEA at the state level as a board member for many years. Cliff represented Kansas as a delegate at the National NEA Convention for several terms.

“Mr. T” is remembered by former students for his dry wit, his engaging class discussions, and his ability to impart a love of English, Literature, and Writing.

While he was in college, Cliff wed Karan Ball, with whom he had four children, Cindy, Kathy, Cheryl, and Kristopher; the couple later divorced. He wed Elaine Amerin in 1995, and they continued to reside in Plains.

Cliff served as greenskeeper for the Plains Country Club during summer breaks from school, and was superintendent of Plains Housing for several years. He also operated a photography business, providing photos for weddings and other events for area residents.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Cindy Sheets (Keith) of Perkins, Oklahoma; Kathy Jacobs (Shawn) of Plains, Kansas; Cheryl Norton (Justin) of New Castle, Colorado; and Kris Thomas (Shadra) of Liberal, Kansas; stepchildren, Kip Amerin (Katherine) of Fountain, Colorado, and Kara Redmon of Olathe, Kansas. He is also survived by a brother, Jerry Thomas (Mariana) of Colby, Kansas; a sister, Linda Wallace (Lorion) of Burden, Kansas; his grandchildren, Wil Skeen, Madelayne Sheets, Cami Faust, Taly Jacobs, Rani Simon, Deni Jacobs, Rebi Ross, Cooper Norton, Jersey Norton, Trever Thomas, Tyler Thomas, Hunter Thomas, Nicholas Amerin, Jacob Amerin, and Jayden Redmon; many nieces and nephews, and a great number of friends.

Cliff was predeceased by his parents, Leslie and Alma Thomas; his brother, Harvey Thomas; and his sister, Lawanda Horning.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Southwestern Heights High School, Kismet, Kansas, with Robert Kaberlein officiating. Cremation has taken place. Inrunment will be at the Plains Cemetery, Plains, at a later date. Services are under the direction of Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.

Memorials may be sent to the Plains County Club of the Plains Library in care of the funeral home.