James Thomas
68 Phillips 334 Road
Helena AR 72342-8711
I married Joyce Fisher in 1963. We have six (06) children and sixteen (16) grandchildren.
In order my
children are James, Jr. Melinda, Stacey, Gayland (now George), Brad and Kelly. James Jr. has 4
children, Melinda has 2, Stacey has 2, Gayland 3, Brad 3, and Kelly 2.
I started working for Ark-La Gas in 1968 and continued to work for them until 1992. Then I
went to work for Doughboy. I'm still working for them. I also come out and clean up at a Quick
Stop market in West Helena. So even now I am working at Doughboy and then working out here
4-6 hours per day.
I did a stint in the National Guard from '55 to '64. I spent exactly 8 years, 4 months and 17 days
in the Guard. I was in the Guard during the Little Rock High School incident. I was sent to
Forest City.In the Guard I worked on antiaircraft, working on "fire direction". Henry Richmand was
in antiaircraft too.
In all the years of work, I have only missed one day of work. That was because of a stomach flu,
which just happened recentlyl
I have considered retirement but I have been active all my life. If I gave one message to my
classmates, it would be that I have enjoyed my life, and enjoyed my
family.