Russell Hand Thomas

Russell Hand Thomas, 66, departed peacefully on July 19, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma after fighting cancer with courage and grit.

Russ was born November 9, 1954 at Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia, Missouri. He grew up in Sweet Springs, Missouri, as one of six children in a loving, blended family raised by Jack and Jimmy Hand Thomas. In high school, he played and excelled at sports, particularly football. He was inducted into the Sweet Springs High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. Russ also had a deep love for golf. He could be found most mornings and weekends on the golf course. He was a member of Broken Arrow Golf and Athletic Club for more than 15 years.

Russ was first introduced to flying as a teenager after paying five dollars to ride in a plane for the first time at the Missouri State Fair. After that experience, he became fascinated with aviation and worked relentlessly towards achieving his dream of becoming a corporate pilot. Russ started his career as a Charter Pilot for the Kansas City Aviation Center. During this time, he was most proud of transporting life-saving organs for patients awaiting transplants and flying former Governor John Ashcroft, to the Missouri State Fair-where he initially fell in love with flying. Throughout his career, Russ flew to all 50 states and overseas. He earned his retirement from ONEOK as Chief Pilot after 20 years.

His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 27 years, Katie Sue Thomas, his daughter, Katie Disper (Andrew) of Greer, SC; stepdaughter, Suzanne Bjornson (Eric) of Tulsa, OK; stepson, Stephen Snow (Kyle) of San Diego, CA and grandson, Will; he is also survived by siblings: James Rissler (Maurita), Tomi Blackburn, Jack Thomas (Robin), Mark Thomas (Lisa), Joseph Thomas, and Dana Rissler Fritz (Scott); many nephews and nieces, Zeke (his dog), and Wilbur-an abandoned kitten he rescued near an airport hangar. Russ named him after one of the famed Wright Brothers, the pioneers of aviation. Russ is preceded in death by his mother, Jimmy Thomas, his stepfather, Jack E. Thomas, and his birth father, James Shelton Rissler, and his wife, Ladye Deane Rissler.

To honor his wishes, services will not be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Corporate Angel Network, a nonprofit that helps cancer patients access treatment by arranging free travel on corporate aircraft.