Toliver R. Thomas
Toliver R. Thomas was born March 29, 1947, in Newport, Tennessee, and passed away Feb. 12, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas.
Known as Tom or Tommy by his large and close-knit family of uncles, aunts and cousins, Toliver was a die-hard Tennessee Volunteers fan. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, photography, traveling, gardening, cooking, baking, swimming, woodworking and telling stories. He was known for his remarkable memory and zest for life.
Toliver graduated from Clinton High School in 1965 and attended Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City. He joined the U.S. Air Force in February 1969 and was deployed to Panama, where he specialized in radio electronics. He later was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, and was honorably discharged in December 1974. During his time in Portales, New Mexico, he attended Eastern New Mexico University and earned two master’s degrees.
Following graduation, Toliver became an industrial arts teacher at Hobbs High School, where he served for 18 years. During that time, he also taught woodworking for the continuing education department at New Mexico Junior College. In 1992, he became principal at Edison Elementary School, where he met Anita, whom he hired as his secretary. He enjoyed working with students and teachers until his retirement in 1998, when he moved to Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
About a year later, Toliver reconnected with Anita, and their renewed friendship led to his return to Hobbs. They were united in marriage May 28, 2000, at First Methodist Church. Shortly thereafter, he began a 20-year career as a driver’s education instructor at New Mexico Junior College, a role he truly cherished.
During their 25½ years of marriage, their blended family — Toliver’s two sons and Anita’s three daughters — grew to include 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
They cherished traveling to Tennessee every other Christmas to spend time with Toliver’s family, and visiting Anita’s daughter and her family in North Carolina. Toliver especially treasured trips to Johnson City, Tennessee, where he enjoyed visiting his beloved Aunt Agnes. Together, Toliver and Anita shared many memorable road trips to various destinations.
He was preceded in death by his biological mother, Vevette Thomas; his father, Toliver Howard Thomas; his second mother, Marion Ponder Thomas; his brother, Dick; his nephew, Allen; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is survived by his wife, Anita; sons, Clay (Chantell) and Kurt (Jill); daughters, Angela (Ronnie), Amanda (Jared) and Alyssa; grandchildren, Knox, Lucas, Louis, Taylor (Cody), Kaylee (Joe), Bradley, Joshua (Alexis), Makalah, Kaci, Brianna, Lily, Cienna, Laila and Derek; great-grandchildren, Dean, Reagan, Rayleigh, Ella and Jesiah; brother, David (Carolyn); sister-in-law, Suzanne; aunts, Agnes and Sarah; uncle, Hershel; and many cousins.
Visitation was held from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Chapel of Hope. A memorial service was held Friday, Feb. 20, at First Methodist Church in Hobbs, New Mexico.
The family extends special thanks to the VA and Del & Associates for their support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Toliver’s honor to First Methodist Church Men’s Group, 200 E. Snyder, Hobbs, NM 88240, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675, or online.
