Dr. Fred Wesley Thomas
Dr. Fred Wesley Thomas, of Abbeville, died Thursday, October 19, 2023, at home, each hand being held by a loving daughter and stepdaughter. Born December 2, 1931, in Orange, Texas, Dr. Thomas lived an extraordinary and fascinating life, having a positive impact on countless people for almost 92 years. His memory will be treasured by thousands of patients, many business partners, more friends that can be counted, and a devoted and loving extended family. A calm and dignified man, he also possessed a gentle and lively sense of humor. He had that rare and precious gift of listening, a critical trait for his career as a physician, but also for his relationships with people from all ages and walks of life. He was always curious about everything and everyone he met. The only child of Dr. Fred Williams Thomas and Luella Parker Thomas, Dr. Fred had an unusual childhood. His mother having died when he was 9, his father serving as the dentist at Jackson State Mental Hospital and Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, Dr. Fred was raised at those institutions. Perhaps that is why he was so accepting of all people, regardless of their circumstances. His father’s illness left him on his own as a teenager, and he worked his way through high school in St. Francisville, finding time to serve as editor of the school newspaper that he founded, and to share honors as the class co-valedictorian. He attended McNeese State University, where he excelled academically, again serving as the editor of the college newspaper.
In 1953 he married Gladys Cockerham of Dequincy, with whom he was married for 42 years. He entered Louisiana State Medical School in New Orleans and during those years, Fred and Gladys started a family, with the birth of their two daughters, Christy and Cindy. Dr. Thomas was a standout student, ranking 5th in his medical school class of 101 students in 1957. Joining the U.S. Army while still in medical school, Dr. Thomas served his country for 5 years, stationed at military hospitals in Denver, New Orleans, and El Paso. Dr. Thomas was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Captain in June, 1961.
Dr. Thomas began private medical practice in Bridgeport, Alabama, for two years, before he moved to Many, Louisiana, where he enjoyed over 20 years at a busy family practice. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Thomas found time to serve his community in various roles, including as chairman of the Sabine Parish Water Works District and as elected member of the Sabine Parish School Board. He was a member of the Many First United Methodist Church, the Lions Club, the Civil Air Patrol, the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Louisiana State and American Medical Associations, and the American Academy of Family Practice. Dr. Thomas did not limit his energy to just work. He was enthusiastic about his hobbies too, which included flying his airplane, fishing, boating, and water-skiing with his family on Toledo Bend Lake. He enjoyed gardening, antiquing, and was a voracious reader, and whether it was world events, or a jingle from his childhood, his memory was extraordinary. In 1983, Dr. Thomas moved to Baton Rouge, where he practiced medicine at the LSU Student Health Center, serving as Chief of Medicine. He loved being a doctor, but was also engaged in various medical, nursing home, and business pursuits, with which he was actively involved until the end of his life.
In 1997, Dr. Thomas and Nancy White Herpin were married at First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, where they remained members for the rest of their lives. In 2004, he and Nancy moved to Abbeville, where they made their home a beautiful and peaceful place where their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved to gather. As busy as Dr. Thomas’s life was, he never seemed to be in a rush, always having time to devote to his family. Dr. Fred and Nancy enjoyed traveling the world, spending time with family and friends, and most of all, being together. It was obvious to anyone who knew them how deeply they were in love. Dr. Fred and Nancy celebrated 26 joyful years of marriage until she passed away May 22, 2023, with Dr. Fred by her side holding her hand.
Dr. Thomas is survived by his daughters; Christine Thomas Dowden, Cynthia Thomas Gates and her husband Jim; stepson Daniel Herpin and his wife, Gay; stepdaughters, Shannon Herpin Kimble and her husband, Alvin, and Stephanie Herpin LeBouef and her husband, Cobb; grandchildren, Michael Dowden (Amy), Julie Dowden Nally (Tom), Rachel Gates Hebert (Kenny), Mollie Gates, Kate Herpin Trahan (Trae), Ross Herpin (Brittany), Chip LeBouef (Elizabeth), Leah LeBouef Servat (Ryan); fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild on the way.
In lieu of a formal funeral service, the family will have a private memorial Saturday, October 28, 2023.
