James (OJ) Thomas, 67 years of Lawrence, KS, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2025 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Born on July 30, 1957
in St. Louis, MO to parents Betty and A.B. Thomas both deceased.
He attended Jardine Junior High, Topeka High School, Kansas University undergraduate degree and Drake University for a Masters Degree.
OJ worked his life in the Banking and Wholesale Home Mortgage business.
He was married to Beverly for many years his adult daughters Carrie and Emily whom he loved so much survive. He loved reading his Bible, historical non-fiction
and participating in sports especially Tennis as well as walking and playing with his loving dog Maggie who is now deceased. OJ is survived by all of his siblings
Danny Thomas of Lawrence, Michael Thomas of Topeka and Susan Kosinski of of Jacksonville, FL. OJ loved all his friends especially both his Sigma Chi Brothers and Tennis Brothers!
OJ’s Celebration of Life and Remembrance Service will be Thursday April 10th at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home and Crematory is located at 601 Indiana Street (near Downtown) Lawrence, KS 66044. No Flowers nor Donations are requested.
We all knew OJ as the best tennis player in Topeka and I was glad to know him as my pledge brother at Sigma Chi at KU. A big group of us gathered in Wichita in December and it was great to catch up and reminisce about our Topeka days. Rest in peace OJ. IH.
I will miss OJ. I remember going to game 7 of 1985 World Series. Enjoyed talking about family and friends. It has been a tough 20 years for OJ and I have enjoyed being your friend. I am sure you have hit tennis balls with John Beach already another friend I have lost way to early. As I have said to you and many others every day is precious. I’ll miss our friendship.
OJ, thank you for always being such a good friend! I have so many fond memories as we grew up together in Topeka. To all that knew OJ, his kindness, sense of humor, and sincerity, will always be remembered. We grew up together playing tennis. OJ always loved to reminisce about the group of guys we played with but more importantly, how we all became lifelong friends. One story OJ loved to talk about was a trip we took together. I was honored to be invited by OJ and his dad to attend the WCT Tennis Finals in Dallas, Texas in 1974. It was a trip to be remembered as OJ’s dad flew us to Dallas in the company private jet. Wow! But the trip got better as we watched a 17 year old named Bjorn Borg get to the finals. OJ and I often remembered the trip and how amazed we were to see Borg, who was only a few years older than us, achieve such a amazing feat. It gave us hope to keep practicing! OJ was a selfless individual who modeled his faith. Over the past 10+ years he suffered as a result of Lyme Disease. Even though he was often in pain, OJ always kept a positive attitude and would focus on the good times he had. He has left us way to soon and will truly be missed.
OJ was a close friend and fraternity brother who, to quote Joe Gatti, had a “contagious laugh.” Did he ever! He led a moral and exemplary life and was loved by more people than I can begin to count. I thank God for all of the times spent with him. You’ll be missed, OJ!
Love, Charley
So blessed that OJ shared with me last summer about his relationship with Christ. 1 John 5:11-13 states that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life, and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. John writes these things to those who believe in the name of the Son of God, so they may know they have eternal life.
OJ is doing great.
OJ, Thank you for being a lifelong friend. I will never forget all of our great times together. You honored me by being the best man in my wedding and allowing me to be the best man in yours. I will never forget you and I don’t have the words to say how much I loved you.
RIP my Friend.
Dear OJ,
Thank you for providing for our family. Thank you for being such a loving and caring dad to Carrie and Emily.
You quietly endured decades of suffering, anguish and pain stemmed from Lyme disease, but now your spirit is free.
Even during your final hours, you somehow rallied to cheerfully greet family and friends.
From the apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy 4: 7,8 it reads:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for those all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
Through and in all things, may God be the glory!
Rest in peace dear OJ, rest in peace!
Love, Beverly, Carrie and Emily
To OJ’s beloved family members:
I was very sad to hear of OJ’s passing. We played tennis at Topeka High together in the spring of 1973. While we had our fun playing tennis — he was quite the better player — the friendship that evolved was the greatest benefit of all.
OJ was born a gentleman. He graciously would wax me at tennis each time we played, but I found that I liked him each time just a little bit more.
Needless to say, by the time the season ended , I liked him a lot.
We went our separate ways after high school, he to KU while I went to Washburn.
We remained friends for the next 50 years, even though living fairly far apart for many of those.
I was lucky that in 2016 O called me and we arranged to spend the day together in Jacksonville, Fla., where I worked at the time. It was a wonderful day. We recounted tennis matches and even specific points and shots. We talked about his dad and his mom, his siblings, and for sure, his beloved daughters.
Even though we didn’t see each other all that much in recent years, I will miss him. He was one of God’s great gifts.
Mark Nusbaum