Jimmy Dale Thomas

Jimmy Dale Thomas, born Friday, March 28, 1952, in Matador, TX, passed away on
March 16, 2020, in Decatur, TX. He was 67 years old and resided in Decatur along with
working and having a second residence in Paducah, TX.
Jimmy attended Paducah schools from 1st grade through graduation. He then joined the
Air Force and spent most of his military career in Okinawa, Japan, working on instrument
systems on aircraft flying missions over Vietnam. He worked his way through college by
stocking and unloading for grocery stores. As with everything he did, he wanted to be the best
and did become the best grocery stocker Safeway had. Jimmy worked with his uncle in the
insurance business and became a Registered Health Underwriter and eventually bought the
business. He also spent time working as a volunteer fire fighter and was awarded Fire Fighter of
the Year in both Hudson Oaks and Parker Country Fire Fighters Association in 1995, which
motivated him to become an EMT. Jimmy attended Texas Christian University and received a
General Studies degree in 1986, a Master of Business Administration in 1988, and a Master of
Science in Geology in 1993. Jimmy enjoyed scuba diving, karate, caving, but his passion
became photography. He started Ixtlan Photography and traveled to Antarctica and Africa and
many areas in Texas and the Southwest photographing landscapes and wildlife. He was also a
well respected geologist and had his own successful oil and gas companies Nagual Exploration,
Ixtlan Exploration, and Castaneda Consulting. He was a founding chairman of the Fort Worth
chapter of Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists (SIPES). He was awarded the
American Association of Petroleum Geologist’s A.I. Levorsen Memorial Award for best paper in
2003.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Branda Timmons Thomas, daughter Sally Vaughn and
husband Chris Vaughn, grandchildren Riley Vaughn, Jake Vaughn, Shaylee Vaughn, and

Katheryn and husband Colton Cassaday. He was preceded in death by his parents Jim Bob and
Madeline Thomas.
Jimmy will be buried beside his parents at the Garden of Memories in Paducah, TX, on
Thursday, March 19, 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Wise
Choices Pregnancy Resource Center in Decatur, TX, at www.mywisechoices.com or contacting
Jammye Timmons at (940)704-3810 to donate to Guthrie First Baptist Youth Program.