Dale E Thomas Jr.

A memorial service for Dale E. Thomas, Jr., 74, will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until service time. Officiating the service will be Pastor John Fream. 

Dale was born May 30, 1949 to Dale Eugene Thomas, Sr., and Madeline Esther Wilkins Thomas in Shreveport Charity Hospital, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and passed away Monday, February 5, 2024 in Bossier City, Louisiana. 

Dale was raised in Benton, Louisiana, and resided in Benton most of his life, but he never left Bossier or Caddo Parish. He lived at the Burt Plantation until he married the love of his life in 1968. He met Billie Janice McCain in grade school and pursued her relentlessly until she realized he was also the love of her life. He was an avid athlete, playing baseball, football, and basketball. He was on the first Benton Dixie baseball team in which his father, Dale E. Thomas, Sr., was the coach. He played football for Hoss Newman, and they went to state in his senior year. 

Dales's biggest passion in his life was his family. He spent every available moment coaching, mentoring, and loving his children and grandchildren. Dale not only touched the lives of his children but many children, young men, and women over the years. He was a father figure to so many children who needed it. He was a force on this earth that left it better than how he found it. He loved nothing more, however, than his soulmate, Billie. They were married for almost 56 years, and he did not like to be away from Billie for even a day. She was his solace. Dale also loved the Lord and knew he was going to heaven. He does not want us to be sad but to celebrate his life. 

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bobby Lee McElhannon and grandson, Case Foster Thomas. He is survived by his wife, of almost 56 years, Billie McCain Thomas; sons, Trey Thomas and wife Brittany, Robby Thomas and his wife Michelle, Cody Thomas and his wife Elizabeth; grandchildren, Tate Thomas, Bailee Thomas, Sean Thomas, Troy Thomas, Caleb Thomas, Crew Thomas, Croy Thomas, and Berkley Thomas; sisters, Claudette Digilarmo and Kathy Wright; and brother, Kenny Thomas. 

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons, Tate Thomas, Sean Thomas, Troy Thomas, Caleb Thomas, Crew Thomas, Croy Thomas, and heavenly escort, Case Thomas. 

The family suggests memorials may be made to Benton Dixie Sports Complex, 2000 Woodlake Dr., Benton, Louisiana 71006, or Benton High School Band Boosters, 3404 Shirley CT. Benton, Louisiana 71006.