Arlene Thomas

Florence (Arlene) Thomas, age 83, a longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022 at her residence in Oklahoma City.
 
A ceremony to gratefully remember and celebrate Arlene’s life will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Ponca City Resthaven Memorial Park with Pastor Mark Berry officiating. Casket Bearers will be Chris Thomas, Jared Kalmeyer and Doug Perry. Arrangements are under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home and Crematory.
 
Arlene Thomas was born on September 11, 1939, to Herbert and Florence Small in Blackwell, OK. She was raised in Ponca City graduating from Ponca City High School in 1957. Following high school, she attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College while also working for the Home State Life Insurance Company and living on her own. On August 26, 1962, she married the love of her life, Larry Clinton Thomas. They celebrated nearly 54 years of marriage together. After marrying Larry, and even while being a full-time Mom, she completed her college aspirations. Arlene went on to attend Central State University Edmond and graduated with an Undergraduate Degree in Elementary Education in 1970. She spent many years as a tutor in her home. Her students loved her incorporation of puppets and play in her curriculum and looked forward to their lessons with her every week.
 
Arlene loved to travel with her husband and family. She lived in London for several years and enjoyed traveling to the nearby countries. Many memories were also made at Disney World with her children and grandchildren. Arlene was a talker, was fun to be around, had a huge loving heart for everyone, particularly our four-legged friends, had a silly sense of humor, and even was proud to tell you that she was not a very good cook; “Why bother with so many good kitchens around!” Most memorably, she would never miss a day telling us that she was happy, was proud of us, and encouraged nearly everyone she met, “To Never Lose Their Beautiful Smile.”
 
Survivors include her children: Chris Thomas, and wife Kristi of New Franklin, OH, Debbie Kalmeyer, and son-in-law Steve of Oklahoma City, adored grandchildren: Madison Thomas, Jordan Kalmeyer, and Jared Kalmeyer, and great grandbaby Brigham. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Florence, older sister, Janice (Small-Perry) Yeary and husband, Larry. With Mom’s sense of humor, we lovingly envision Dad welcoming Mom to heaven, with open arms, asking her to sit by his side, while knowing he’ll never get another moment of quiet time. They can finally be joined together again - forever!