Rev. Terry Neal Thomas, 72, of Palm Coast, FL, went to his heavenly home on Monday, August 30, 2021, with his family by his side. He was born in Centerville, IA, on November 16th, 1948. Terry was preceded in death by his mother and father, Betty and LaVerne Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Diane; daughters Tiffany Thomas, Theresa Thomas Chase (Brandon Chase, son-in-law); and his brother Dale Alan Thomas.
Terry started playing drums at the young age of 8 which led to playing professionally by the age of 14. Through his high school and college years, in addition to touring (often with his brother, Dale), he graduated from NW Missouri State with a BS in Elementary and Secondary Education (Music Major) and worked as Music Education Teacher and Marching Band Director (Maysville MO). Terry ultimately met the love of his life, Diane Baskovich, when she auditioned to be a singer in his band. In 1983, on the hottest day of the summer, the singer married the drummer, and soon after left the secular music business to follow the Lord’s calling on their lives.
Desiring to serve in his home church, Clearwater First Assembly, Terry’s first ministry job was the janitor, as it was the only position open; but he had a heart to serve and said yes to the call. Over time being faithful where he was planted, he grew in his gifts through never missing an opportunity to learn, attending any class offered, observing to do, and to help fill any need. No task was too menial. He just loved to serve and encourage others. Terry cherished being mentored, which eventually led him to become a graduate of Global University’s Berean School of the Bible in Ministerial Studies and being ordained by the Assemblies of God. In 1999, the Lord gave Terry and Diane a congregation to pastor, serve and encourage in Palm Coast, FL, at Evangel Assembly of God, where they have remained faithful for over 22 years.
Terry’s proudest achievements were his daughters, Tiffany and Theresa. Their daddy was undeniably their biggest cheerleader in every season of life. Listening to them worship brought tears of joy, and he could hardly contain himself while playing drums with them! Terry called his girls daily, often several times, just to see how their day was going and encourage them, most often making them laugh in the process. He loved America, history, sports, memorizing scripture, time with family and friends and bringing flowers to the love of his life nearly every week throughout their marriage. Many others within his church and community he considered as his friends, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and grandkids at heart, and the feeling was mutual.
Terry had a love and passion for Jesus that was evident to all. His smile and joy of the Lord was contagious, and he was an encourager to everyone he met. To know him was to know the kindness and unconditional love of God. Truly a man after God’s own heart, Terry Thomas left a legacy that will carry on through generations.
The Celebration of Life for Pastor Terry will be held on Saturday, September 11th at 11:00am at Parkview Baptist Church, 5435 Belle Terre Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32137
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Evangel Assembly of God, Palm Coast, FL
Terry our pastor and friend, he will forever be missed and loved
Praying you’ll be comforted with all the precious memories and God’s presence to care for you and your family in this time of lose.
Clearly everyone can see the pathway of love, Terry left behind
With all of our love and sympathy, and prayers
We will miss our Pastor and Friend
What a blessing Pastor Terry was to our family and to our community. There was no one like him, and he will be sorely missed. His infectious smile, personality, and love of the Lord and his family, is what made him the “bigger than life” man that he was. We love you family, and we will miss him dearly. May the Lord comfort you and keep you, and bring you His overwhelming peace during this time.
He is a legend of a man who is forever in my heart never forgotten
What a priveledge to know Terry Thomas and his family! We had the opportunity to work with Terry during his janitor days at First Assembly of God in Clearwater. His love for Jesus was so contagious. It was a wonderful experience to watch him and encourage him to one day Pastor a church. The Lord blessed them and it happened. Praise the Lord for Terry Thomas. May his legacy live on in the lives of his daughters. Thank you Lord Jesus!
We are at a loss for words to express how sorry we are to lose Terry. A more fun, vibrant man I have not known. I Dorothy, worked with Terry at First Assembly in Clearwater and there was not a dull moment. He was always willing and eager to do what needed to be done. I really enjoyed working with him and have such good memories of that time period. Love to Diane and his girls. He was so proud of you all.love to the family and peace for the future.
Known Pastor Terry for a decade and proud to say he was a true friend to me and my family.I can not put into words how much I will miss our talks and that infectious smile. Keep everyone happy up there see you when I get there my friend 😎😢❤️
It was a joy to watch Terry and Diane as leaders and parents. Knowing them in Clearwater, I have fond memories of their infectious joy and love for Jesus and family.
Terry was a leader in every way and I am better for knowing him in my early life. Wishing the family much peace and comfort in this difficult time. Nicole
Pastor and Jughaid together for all eternity. Until we meet again. Luv y’all
I met Pastor Terry in 2007 while serving with Honorbound Motorcycle Ministry in Daytona, Florida. Immediately, I knew I had met a man full of the love of God and a servant whose influence was evident in those around him. I attended his church each year I came to Daytona and it became one of the highlights of my time there. Not only did he influence those around him for Christ, his wife Diane and daughters Tiffany and Theresa was part of that influence as well. When his daughters led worship along with his wife Diane the anointed presence of Holy Spirit was incredible. Yes, his legacy will be carried on not only through his family but also through the people his life impacted including mine.
Two scriptures come to mind when I think of Pastor Terry Thomas which is Jerimiah 8:10. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” And Matthew 25:21 “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Dear family prayers a grand thoughts out to you all. Terry and Dale were next door neighbors when I was in Centerville and Terry was in my high school class and home room.
I will miss you everyday of my life Sir Terrance, you became one of my best friends, and a mentor to how every man should strive to live his life. Not having you in my studio or randomly showing up at my house is never gonna feel right. Your smile, your energy, your compassion, your Love for Jesus and your family are things I will strive for in my life. Hope you were able to meet my Dad up there and you two become friends. Can’t wait to see that infectious smile again some day, we will try to carry your torch my friend, Love and Miss You!!!! I will always be here for Diane and the girls. “Thank You Jesus”!!!
A true man of God. He has helped so many people come to Christ. He laid hands on me a few times and you could feel the Holy Spirit thru him. Love you all and pray for God to give comfort and His peace.
We are stunned and saddened at the news of the passing of Pastor Thomas. He was such an inspiration and supporter of our church. If we needed anything, we only need ask. We are going to miss this great man of God. Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to Pastor Diane, his daughters and the Evangel Assembly church family.
We are so thankful that God brought Mr. Terry and his family to our church to lead in worship. We love this family and will always remember Mr. Terry’s smile and laughter! He will be missed by many and we will continue to pray for his family.
You will be missed. I always admired your love and commitment towards your wife and daughters. Seneca and Michael will miss your teachings and encouragement in their music studies.
I hope to see your beautiful smile in heaven some day. RIP
(Pastor) TERRY, THE MAN I LOVED AS A BROTHER AND WILL BE BLESSED FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS FROM KNOWING HIM.
May our Lord continue to comfort the hearts of everyone, as Terry would do every time someone was with him.
You just knew he would be here forever. He was a part of our lives and he will live on in memory. Such a joy to know someone so full of the Spirit of God and joy.
Remembering my dear friend and buddy the T-Man. Our days together in Clearwater will always be cherished. Your comical and crazy ways ALWAY brought a smile. But then you could get serious and blow people away with your depth. What a tremendous combination. But your greatest combination was your intelligence to snag Diane who would become Queen Di, Queen of Thomases and together delight the world with Princesses Tiffany and Theresa. How missed you already are and a void created that can only be filled by Jesus. Loved you my brother and will see you again. Sue and Dennis Bingham
It has been my privilege and joy to know Brother Terry as a dear friend for over 20 years. He was like a child in his heart, pure, precious, and dedicated to the Lord. He was always loving, gentle, kind, and caring. He was also a learner from God to the very end. His tireless dedication shows in his precious family of Dianne, Tiffany, and Teresa. The whole family is dedicated to the Lord. I love them and am honored to know them. I pray for their comfort in the midst of their sorrow and pain. Terry is rejoicing in heaven and we will see him again soon and very soon.
Blessings,
John
There is so much that I could say about Terry Thomas but what I do want to say is he was the best man I’ve ever had the privilege to know I met him in 2003 I was fixing the a/c at the church he pastored he came up to me introduced himself and invited me to church I went that night and kept going he was one of the first men that I’ve ever met that truly loved God and people he loved everyone he took me under his wing and taught me all about the bible and God he didn’t just preach God’s word he walked it and lived it he became my best friend he was one of the first men other than my dad and son’s that I can honestly say that I loved anytime I needed anything he made it happen for me he would call me everyday just to see if I needed anything and to make sure I was doing alright I loved Terry Thomas with all my being he was my Pastor,brother and the best friend I’ve ever had I know that he’s with God but God knows I miss him so much I miss his voice his smile his words of encouragement they’ll never be another man that could even come close to Terry Thomas the man would do anything for anyone he would give you the shirt off his back if he saw a need he would take care of it he never took credit for anything he ever did for anyone he always gave God the glory there is so much I want to say but I’ll end with this I thank God that he put him in my life God knew I needed Terry Thomas in my life I can honestly say that he was my best friend and I loved him more than any other man in this world and my life is going to be so different without him you ran the race Pastor and finished it I miss you so much my heart hurts so bad I know you’re in heaven and I know that you Got to hear what you always told me that you wanted to hear when you got to heaven and that was God telling you well done good and faithful servant Terry Thomas was an awesome Pastor,husband,Dad and the best friend that you could ever have in a life time a piece of my heart went with you when God took you home
Pastor Thomas is a great man of GOD, amazing husband, and devoted father. He was also a friend indeed to the Henry family through the good and the bad. He always gave me words of encouragement, he’s prayed for me, he’s prayed with me. His integrity and loyalty could not be surpassed. My favorite memory of Pastor Thomas was during my
Nieces basketball game. He cheered as if those girls were his daughters. That’s how he treated everyone as if they were his own. You will be missed, but I know you are home in heaven.
Terry Neal Thomas was a gift from god to our family. When I first met him I called him Pastor out of respect for what he did. This crazy guy screaming at our daughters basketball game. As I began to know him I always called him Pastor because that was who he was. He truly lived what he preached. However he wasn’t only a man of words but a great many deeds. His tireless dedication to helping others and spreading god’s word was humbling. The fact that he LIVED his faith in word and deed is what set him apart from so many and why I loved him so much. Whether he was talking about scripture a civil war battle or tires for his truck he had an infectious enthusiasm that we will struggle without.
Pastors most profound impact with out a doubt was with our children and grandchildren. We all considered Pastor, Diane,Tiffany and Teresa as family. Our grandchildren revered Pastor and Diane as grand parents and their daughters as aunts. There is no better a legacy for him than the family he has brought to god. He was there providing our daughters god’s guidance from high school to their marriage and the birth of all of our grandchildren. The plentiful good fruit that has been born of his tree stands as an example to all.
Pastors Terry and Diane Thomas and their daughters Tiffany and Teresa have been one of our strongest supporters over the years while we served at United Outreach Church. They were our main musicians and singers at our fundraising events.
Pastor Terry encouraged and prayed with and for each of our family members on many occasions. He was the “Pastors , Pastor”. On occasions we would hear a knock on the door. To our joy and surprise it would be Pastor Terry sometimes alone or with Pastor Diane checking on our well-being.
Thank you Lord for brethren (brothers and sisters) family of God like these dear ones. Pastor Terry we love you and miss you. But thankful you are resting with your Savior and Lord . No more stress or distress. “Safe in the arms of Jesus safe on His gentle breast”. We will continue to pray for and stand by Pastor Diane and family in Christ Jesus Amen 🙏🏾 🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️
It was a shock to us all. There are no words to say how sorry we are. Pastor has touched our lives in so many ways that we will carry with us forever. We have so many memories of all of us being together that we will always cherish. You are in our prayers and our thoughts daily. May the peace that passes all understanding cover you through this time. And may the joy of the Lord always be your strength. We love and miss you.
Sad to hear of Terrys passing.Fond memories of growing up with Terry and Dale in the old neighborhood and playing in bands together.Terry was an amazing talent.May peace be with you!BG
Pastor Terry was the example of what a loving shepherd is all about. His life lives on in every person who received from him. We will forever be grateful to have been taught this example of love and having received it. We will miss him greatly but his spirit of love lives in us and one day we will hear that wonderful joyous whoop once again! Well done Pastor Terry!!
Our hearts broke when we heard about Pastor Terry. We got to meet him through our daughter’s lessons with his wife. He was always so sweet and encouraging. Just that little bit of time was enough to show us he’s a loving man of God, loves and adores his girls and his wife tremendously. Our prayers are with you all.