WILLIAM DANIEL “DANNY” THOMAS, JR.
was born on September 2, 1934 in Sweet Home, Arkansas to William Daniel Thomas, Sr. “Willie” and Carrie Emeline (Casey) Thomas and passed away on January 23, 2021.
Danny was married for over 60 years to Johnnie Nell (Rogers) Thomas of Beebe, Arkansas and together they raised three sons, William Daniel III “Dan” (Susan) of Dallas, Texas, John Robert “J.R.” (Natalie) of Dallas, Texas, and Joseph Casey Thomas “Joey” of Little Rock, Arkansas. Danny was a great and loving grandfather to five grandchildren: Carrie Elizabeth, William Daniel IV “Will”, Madeline Walker and Caroline Stanton Thomas, all of Dallas, Texas and Grace Elizabeth Thomas of Rosebud, Arkansas. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Casey Thomas (Martha) of Boerne, Texas and their children, Marty Diana of Boerne, Texas, and Hank Marshall (Megan) Thomas of Richardson, Texas.
After leaving the family dairy farm and agrichemical sales career with Allied Chemical Company, Danny built his business career in real estate. Initially, he was hired as a salesman with the Rector Phillips Morse Company until he founded The Danny Thomas Company in 1976. The Danny Thomas Company continues to provide commercial brokerage, commercial development, land syndication and property management services through the efforts of its loyal employees and family leadership.
Aside from real estate, Danny spent a significant amount of time on his childhood farm.
Throughout his life, he never lost his love of raising cattle and farming. Over his life, Danny was very active in the Little Rock community through various organizations including the Little Rock Club, Oklahoma State University, Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, Fellowship of Christian Businessmen, the YMCA, and Scimitar Shriners. He also supported his sons’ activities and schools by hosting and participating in many fundraising activities. Danny always came to the aid of individuals who needed assistance, whether a job to support their family, guidance with a career change, or financial aid for medical bills even when the task seemed insurmountable.
Danny was an elder and lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Sweet Home. He graduated from Oklahoma State (A&M) University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture specializing in dairy production and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He served as a Captain in the Arkansas National Guard. In the early 1950’s, he was a second baseman with the famous Little Rock Doughboys baseball team. Throughout his life, he remained proud of his Sweet Home farming heritage and valued his relationships with friends and family. His life was an amazing example of a Christian man, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be missed every day.
You may pay your respects during open visitation on Friday, January 29 from 2-5 p.m. at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock. The family will not be present. Services will be Saturday, January 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Dr. Randy Hyde.
At 12:45 p.m. on Saturday the live stream of the service will begin on Smith Little Rock Funeral Home’s Facebook page. Go to https://www.facebook.com/LittleRockFuneralHome. No Facebook account is necessary to view. Call 501-224-2200 if you have questions or problems. Memorials may be made to the Danny Thomas Scholarship Fund at Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity PI Chapter at Oklahoma State University at www.alphagammarho.org/donate. Danny’s online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.