Robert Duane Thomas

Robert ‘Duane’ Thomas, 72, of Grove, Oklahoma, passed away early in the morning on January 1, 2024, sharing one final New Years Eve celebration at the lake with his three beloved daughters. Duane was born on July 7, 1951, to Bob and Marjorie Thomas in Miami, Oklahoma. After Duane graduated from Fairland High School, he studied at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, received a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University, followed by a master’s degree at Northeastern State University. He received his Superintendent’s certification in 1993. Duane dedicated his career to education where he spent nearly fifty years as an educator, basketball coach and superintendent. Duane was revered not only for his skills as a superintendent but also as a women’s high school basketball coach. He found tremendous success coaching at many area schools including the Afton Lady Eagles and Bluejacket Lady Chieftains, winning a total of 482 games over his career. Under his guidance, the Lady Chieftains became a near permanent resident of the state basketball tournament with fourteen appearances in fifteen years. Win or lose, Duane (Coach Thomas to many) always knew that coaching, no different than teaching, was about preparing others to succeed and valued that above all. In 1973, Duane met Linda Chambers and took her catfishing for their first date. The date went so well that Duane immediately took Linda for breakfast at a café where his sister, Brenda, waited tables. Duane and Linda married three years later in 1976 and had three daughters, Jeni Nunn, Kari Hoffman Clem, and Lani Stone. Duane loved spending time with his daughters whether it was helping them learn back handsprings, working to improve their free throws, or teaching them to drive. Throughout his life, Duane loved to be outdoors, tending the garden at his parents’ home, fishing with his brother Choo and friends, or quail hunting on cold winter mornings. He was an avid Oklahoma Sooners and St. Louis Cardinals fan, and rarely missed a game. Mostly though, he was a loving father, caring brother, mentor, and lifelong friend to many, with an infectious, larger-than-life personality. Wherever he was and whatever he did, he made everyone feel like family. Duane was predeceased by his mother Marjorie Thomas and father Bob Thomas, sister Colleen Thomas, brother-in-law Poncho Shortt, and son-in-law Robert Hoffman. He is survived by his sister Brenda Shortt of Bentonville, Arkansas, brother Choo Thomas and sister-in-law Susan Thomas of Grove, Oklahoma, daughter Jeni Nunn and son-in-law Hunter Nunn of Dallas, Texas, daughter Kari Hoffman Clem and son-in-law Jason Clem of Choctaw, Oklahoma, daughter Lani Stone of Choctaw, Oklahoma, and many loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by four fun and lovable grandchildren: Acie Hoffman, Canon Stone, Crew Stone, and Emersyn Hoffman. Visitation will be Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Brown Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be held at the Fairland High School Gym on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with a graveside service to follow. The family requests that in lieu of flowers please make a donation in the name of Coach Thomas to the Fairland, Bluejacket, Afton, or Gravette Public Schools Enrichment Foundations or the NEO Football Program. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Thomas' Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Robert Duane Thomas

July 7, 1951 - January 1, 2024