Rhett “Monk” Thomas was born February 27, 1955 to Melba and Jr Thomas in Crossett, AR. He had an older brother Rank, older sister Cynthia and twin brother Brett. He was the baby of the family. Monk grew up terrorizing Ashley County on his bicycle with his siblings and cousins, they were thick as thieves to hear him tell it. In high school he ruled the football field for the Crossett Eagles, even making All State if you can believe that. Later as a young adult, he rode bareback all over the south, causing a ruckus in every small-town rodeo there was. He followed in his uncle Harris’ footsteps, and started his career as a boilermaker. His work took him all over the word. According to him, he has worked in every nuclear power house there is and let’s never forget…he is a WELDING GOD!!! On his travels he met his now ex wife Cindy and they had two children. He drugs them all over the country as well for work. He was an attentive Dad, spending his summers off teaching Megan and Canon how to ride a bike, throw a proper spiral, hunt, fish, golf, and drive a stick shift down a dirt you at an incredibly young age! If you were one of the kids’ cousins or friend, its more than likely he taught you to ski, and got you to dive the boat for him, so he could get back there and slalom. Later in life, Monk moved to South Louisiana, were he fell in love with the culture and the people. If you saw him, he was probably barefoot (because he probably left his shoes at the bar), wearing a tank top, and drinking a Budweiser with a shit eating grin on his face. “You good?” he’d say. Monk lived his life to the fullest, enjoying every moment and never meeting a stranger. If you needed a hand, he was always the first one there. He even let a homeless guy down on his luck stay with him for a while! He was the one of the funniest, most generous, good hearted, loving, nonjudgmental guys around. His biggest pride and joy in life were his grandchildren: Colin, Cammy, Holden, Ruby, Clint, and McKenzie. He couldn’t wait for Colin to turn 16 so he could drive him to Manny’s…a tipsy taxi in the making! Holden and Cammy were his designated pancake makers. Lord knows he was not a cook! He will be sadly missed by all. In tribute to Monk’s life: let’s all live a little more like him, enjoying every moment and always helping your fellow man. We love you so much Daddy. Survivors include his children Megan Wheeler (Darren) and Canon Thomas (Amy); grandchildren Colin, Holden, Cammy, Ruby, Clint and McKenzie.
A gathering celebrating Monk’s life will Friday September 27, 2019 at The Venue, Suite H, 13475 LA HWY 431 St Amant; visitation will begin at 4 pm until 7 pm with a memorial service at 6 pm.
To view Mr. Thomas’ memorial video click below:
Rhett “Monk” Thomas was born February 27, 1955 to Melba and Jr Thomas in Crossett, AR. He had an older brother Rank, older sister Cynthia and twin brother Brett. He was the baby of the family. Monk grew up terrorizing Ashley County on his bicycle with his siblings and cousins, they were thick as thieves to hear him tell it. In high school he ruled the football field for the Crossett Eagles, even making All State if you can believe that. Later as a young adult, he rode bareback all over the south, causing a ruckus in every small-town rodeo there was. He followed in his uncle Harris’ footsteps, and started his career as a boilermaker. His work took him all over the word. According to him, he has worked in every nuclear power house there is and let’s never forget…he is a WELDING GOD!!! On his travels he met his now ex wife Cindy and they had two children. He drug them all over the country as well for work. He was an attentive Dad, spending his summers off teaching Megan and Canon how to ride a bike, throw a proper spiral, hunt, fish, golf, and drive a stick shift down a dirt you at an incredibly young age! If you were one of the kids’ cousins or friend, its more than likely he taught you to ski, and got you to drive the boat for him, so he could get back there and slalom. Later in life, Monk moved to South Louisiana, were he fell in love with the culture and the people. If you saw him, he was probably barefoot (because he probably left his shoes at the bar), wearing a tank top, and drinking a Budweiser with a shit eating grin on his face. “You good?” he’d say. Monk lived his life to the fullest, enjoying every moment and never meeting a stranger. If you needed a hand, he was always the first one there. He even let a homeless guy down on his luck stay with him for a while! He was the one of the funniest, most generous, good hearted, loving, nonjudgmental guys around. His biggest pride and joy in life were his grandchildren: Colin, Cammy, Holden, Ruby, Clint, and McKenzie. He couldn’t wait for Colin to turn 16 so he could drive him to Manny’s…a tipsy taxi in the making! Holden and Cammy were his designated pancake makers. Lord knows he was not a cook! He will be sadly missed by all. In tribute to Monk’s life: let’s all live a little more like him, enjoying every moment and always helping your fellow man. We love you so much Daddy. Survivors include his children Megan Wheeler (Darren) and Canon Thomas (Amy); grandchildren Colin, Holden, Cammy, Ruby, Clint and McKenzie.
A gathering celebrating Monk’s life will be held on Friday September 27, 2019 at The Venue, Suite H, 13475 LA HWY 431 St Amant. In Lieu of Flowers please give memorial donations to the Livingston Parish Library South Branch.
To view Mr. Thomas’ memorial video click below:
Known Monk for something over 40 years at work, my prayers, thoughts and love are with his family during this time of grief .
Monk was neighbors with my sister in law Colleen pilley when I first moved in around the corner in 2003. I loved his spirit since day one! My nephew chase,then married his daughter and had the 2 grandchildren he adored so much! He lived his life to the fullest,always had that big grin on his face and those sparkling blue eyes. If we wasn’t hanging out by the pool with him,we wld bump into him at the local bars and he wld give me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was one of a kind,that everyone loved who knew him! Meghan I’m deeply sorry for your loss,I lost my dad in 2016 and it’s a tough loss. I can imagine how sad this will be to the boys to no longer have him with them. Monk,touched many,and we all will miss seeing him and his long bare feet everywhere we went in town. Chase,we love you and if you need us we are here for you.I know the close bond you and with him.We sure did loose a good one 🙁
My confolences,nikki (and kevin)
I have only known Cynthia, and never met Monk…but the way that his sister sang his praises and so obviously loved him fiercely and completely, I can imagine what kind of good, smart, and funny man he was. Prayers and healing thoughts your family as they find their way through this awful and trying time. I hope you find peace in his memory, and comfort in your family and faith.