Mr. Artis N. Thomas

His life: Artis N. Thomas was born August 11, 1948, in Yazoo City, MS to Lela Thomas. In the early 1960’s the family moved to Kansas City, MO where he graduated from Central High School in the class of 1966. He was an active member of the football team where he played the position of nose tackle and earned the nickname “Toad.” After graduation he attend college at Lincoln University where he majored in Business. During college he started working at General Motors, which is what brought him back to Kansas City, post-graduation and spent his entire professional career there. At GM he started on the line and retired in 2008 at the position of Superintendent. His faith: After marrying Ella Davis in 1977 he became a devoted member of the Greenwood Baptist Church. In true Art Thomas fashion, he was active in the church by serving as a trustee and also could be found on any given Sunday morning behind the wheel of the church bus picking up and dropping off members. To every pastor Greenwood had he was as dependable as he had always been to support the leaders of the church and became one with pride. His presence: Art was also a protector over everyone his mother, sisters, uncles and aunts, sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nothing made him happier than the joy children brought into the room and into his life. He played with them. He chased them around. He made them laugh and got on the floor to play realizing that coming down to their level strengthened the connection. He was a father to all, and a stranger to none. Whether it be his children or their friends, he was there to support them and give them solid life advice. He gave away school supplies and backpacks to those who needed it because he believed in the importance of education. He was a man of strong ethics, morals and a champion of good character. He taught these things to any and every child he encountered. He told the best stories of what it takes to be successful and it all came back to hard work and dedication. A man who was not selfish with his knowledge and love. He was truly the core of our village. He was a man of honor and was respected by all who had the joy of encountering him. His football: No one loved football more than Art. He was a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan but sharing his love for football at a young age with his sons Aaron, Terry and Brian was a must, and a great gift from father to sons. Starting as their football coach, from the moment they learned to walk they were on the field. Then he introduced them to the world of the Chiefs Kingdom, it was a sight to behold, not just the love but to share it in the stadium with his sons built a legacy. No matter the wins or loses, no matter the year or the rhetoric he loved his Chiefs. He held his tickets for 44 years and never missed a game for nearly 40 years no amount of rain, frigid cold, or snow nothing could stop him because he was ready to watch his team play. He will be missed in the stands but his love of football and love for the team was unmatched. His heart: Art was a family man through and through and leaves behind his loving wife of forty- eight years Ella Thomas, sons Aaron Thomas (Beverly), Terry McCray (Shantai), and daughters Cheryll Hill (Darrell), and Kristy Thomas, family matriarch Rubbie Brown, and sisters Ferlin Coates (Robert), and Rena Thomas. He also cherished his nieces Andrea Ellis (Eric) and Tameka Morgan (Mark), and nephew Jermell “Moochie” Combs (Lashaundra). His heartbeat grew even stronger with the love he held for his grandkids: Robert Holmes, Ryan Holmes, Julius Hamilton, Briyana Davis (Jaron), Darius McCray (Angel), Artez Heron- Thomas, Tyree Sorrells, Alise Elliott, Elliana Beck Seay, Cynthia Heron- Thomas, Chelsi Thomas, and Myles McCray. And finally, the ones who continued to steal his heart, the great grandkids: Kingston, Woodson, Mar’Rion, Makenzie, Amarey, De’Ari, De’Cari, De’Monte, and Darius Jr. Art was preceded in death by his mother Lela Thomas, Lorena Shirley, Cynthia Thomas, son Brian Thomas, granddaughter Ebon’e L. Holmes, best friend Gary Williams, and God daughter Monica Williams. The reach that Art had expands through all of his family and friends who will forever cherish his memory. Arts’ love of life, wisdom, faith and laughter will live on within all of the hearts of those who had the blessing of knowing him. Funeral services Saturday, November 15, at 1:00pm at Victorious Life Church. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation 12:00pm-1:00pm at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mr. Artis N. Thomas

August 11, 1948 - November 6, 2025