Edsel Hooks Thomas

Edsel Hooks Thomas, (also known by Tom or Uncle Teddie) of Merced, California passed away on February 6, 2025. He was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama to Norman and Sadie Thomas, both of whom preceded him in death, along with his sister Norma Thelmadge Ojehomon. Edsel (Tom) is survived by: 

Wife: Marvis Thomas (remarried) (2) Children: Marvl Thomas and Norman Thomas (5) Grandchildren: Mrs. Nytosha Bridgemans, Mr. Justin Simmons, Ms. Katherine Daniels-Thomas, Ms. Latisha Thomas, Ms. Alexandria Thomas (3) Great Grandchildren: Malaysia Nichelle Simmons, Nova Phoenix Inocencia Elisabeth Daniels, Ty Juan Ryans (1) Nephew: Akintunde Ojehomon, Akinwande Ojehomon (Deceased) (4) Nieces: Mrs. Abimbola (Rose Marie) Ogunde, Mrs. Oluvbo Iweze, Mrs. Aiyemere Williams, Ms. Omololu Ojehomon

He is also survived by numerous family and friends whom he cherished, some whom he considered extended family included:

Ms. Maggie Mann, Ms. Corene Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Ruby and Donald Ray Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Betty Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence and Carolyn Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Ella Robinson, and Mr. Herbert Coleman

Edsel had many other dear friends and acquaintances whom he cherished as well.

Historical background on Edsel Hooks Thomas

Earlier years: Edsel (Tom, Teddy) his early life in Alabama , during the 1930s, was an era of violence, racial unrest, segregation and lynching’s to African Americans. Tom grew up on the large farm where his mother, her 2 sisters and brother were born. His grandfather, whom he greatly adored, owned an abundance acreage of land, including a large creek for fishing, a large farm which included, livestock and crops, kept his family away from town and protected. Tom’s grandfather also built a house for each of his surviving children on the land he preserved for them.

Tom and his sister received their strong fighting spirits from their parents who were both college graduates and members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Phi Delta Kappa Sorority. In Tuscumbia, Tom’s father was a High School Assistant Principal and coach at Trenhome High School and his mother was a school teacher in the segregated South. Tom’s father also organized and held the office of President of the first NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) branch. His dad was heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement before Martin Luther King, Jr. began his mission. Mr. Thomas was so dedicated to his fight against racial inequality that he was forced to take his family and escape Alabama due to KKK threats against his life. Mr. Thomas migrated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he quickly gained power and prestige. He owned a portion of the football team and lived in a beautiful three story house in the suburbs, outside of the city of Cleveland. He and his wife were constantly in the Societal newspaper for their continuous contributions in philanthropy and dedicated work in Civil Rights. Mr. Thomas, who was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, held many titles including Deacon of the Cleveland CME Methodist church while he worked for the city of Cleveland’s Department of Community Development. His wife, Sadie, who was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, and an active member of the Antioch Baptist church.

Becoming a U.S. Soldier

Tom would take a train to visit his grandfather often in Alabama until he graduated from High school. He immediately joined the Air Force in 1953 and was stationed in Langley A.F.B., Hampton, VA. where he met his Wife, Marvis Thomas. Shortly after their marriage, Marvis moved to his parents’ house in Cleveland where their children, Marvl and Norman were born. Tom received orders to transfer to Bolding A.F.B. in Washington D.C. and three years later he received orders to transfer to Yokota A.F.B., Japan where they lived for 6 years. During his station in Japan, he was deployed to Korea for the War, then to Thailand and other nearby islands, then eventually to Vietnam. When he returned back to Japan, he brought his mother-in-law and her daughter over to live as an extended family. Eventually the whole family moved back to the U.S. where he moved several more times before his final assignment ended at Castle A.F.B. near Merced California, where he would live for 30 years. He retired from the Air Force around 1976 and worked as a postman for 10 years; then for DMV Department of Motor Vehicle for approx. 20 years. He then took on ministry full time of spreading the true gospel of Christ around the world.

Obeying the Gospel of Christ and becoming a Christian Soldier

In his early years, Tom was a member of the Methodist church where he loved singing in the choir. Church was always important to him, imprinted by his parents, but something was missing. Many trials happened to him including a divorce (note: he eventually remarried Marvis in his later years and before his death), his mother died and his father became ill with cancer. Tom relocated his father to California and took care of him until his death. 1977, His children were in college at the time and his daughter Marvl, introduced him to a non-denominational church that rejected traditional church teachings and dedicated their worship to Bible only practices which included: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth”. And John 8:32 which states that “knowing the Truth will set you free if they followed the teachings of Jesus” and not traditions of men. He became intrigued with this concept and asked a local preacher, Robert Word, of the Merced Church of Christ to help him learn more about the True Word of God. As he dug deep into the scriptures, he found that many things in local denominations did not fit Biblical principles. As he continued to study, he found himself more embraced in the Truth of the Gospel of Christ as oppose to church traditions and decided to be an avid follower of Gods True Word. He was baptized by this biblical foundation and his passion for teaching others the Truth of God’s word was born. As he studied more and more, he wanted others to see The Truth as well. He became good friends with another preacher, Mr. Wayne Jackson who was an advocate for teaching the Truth of the Gospels. Mr. Jackson began publishing books and then started several publishing foundations called Christian Courier and The Apologetics Press (which drove into the true science of the scriptures), breaking scriptures down in it’s original text of Hebrew and Koine Greek to examine Gods thinking, and looking for the Truth. He took on the “Macedonian Call” to personally spread the True Word. Tom was a strong financial contributor to these publishing and the doors opened to other publications.

Contributions 

Tom was very generous in contributing funds to spread the True Gospel to many people worldwide. People started calling him (Bible Tom). His many involvements and contributions to name a few included: Prison Ministry, Radio Broadcast i.e. In Search of the Way, World Video Bible publications, Gospel Minutes, Christian Courier, Fortify Your Faith, Discovery for kids, Spiritual Sword and Apologetics Press. He also developed many friendships at his job (DMV) as well as the post office, where he mailed many publications to friends, family and strangers. He spent a great deal of money funding these publications so that the True Gospel was open and mailed out to everyone. He also sponsored many young men going to preaching school at Browntrail School of Preaching and other schools; he carried pamphlets in his car and shirt pocket and worked with the homeless, and or Christians who had fallen away from the Faith. He deeply cared for his family and sent enough publications to build a library of resources for anyone that asked. Education was also very important to him and he helped both children and grandchildren finance their College Tuition, thus continuing the tradition of college graduates and professionals, but his main concern was to make sure they had the tools to learn the Truth of God’s Word and to spread this Truth in order to save souls. His urgency in saving souls should make us realize that we do have an eternal life and we will be judged by the Words of the Book of Life and not by our opinions or feelings. Finally, the Great book clearly tells us: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 

Christ’s body is His church (the people) labeled with His name Romans 16:18 The churches of Christ salute you and you are urged to mark those that cause divisions and put obstacles contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, avoid them.