Father Richard Michael Thomas, S.J., a member of the New Orleans Province, died on Monday evening, May 8, at the Lord’s Ranch in Vado, New Mexico. He was 78 years of age; he had been a Jesuit for 60 years and a priest for 47 years.

Born in Seffner, Florida, Fr. Thomas completed his high school education from the Jesuit High School in Tampa. Father Thomas entered the Jesuit novitiate at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, on August 14, 1945. He graduated in 1952 from Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama in 1952 with a B.A. in English.

Father taught at Jesuit High School in Dallas, Texas from 1952-1955. He then went on to study theology at St. Mary’s, Kansas in preparation for the priesthood. He was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco, California on June 13, 1958. Following his ordination, he completed his advanced degree in Theology at Alma College in Los Gatos, and then worked at Jesuit High School in New Orleans.

In 1964 he was appointed Executive Director of Our Lady’s Youth Center in El Paso, Texas, where he found his passion. Under his leadership, the Center grew to include ministries to the poor in different areas of Juarez, Mexico, including food banks, medical and dental clinics, prison and mental hospital ministries, and schools. Dedicated volunteers from both sides of the border run the various ministries.

In 1975 Fr. Thomas founded the Lord's Ranch east of Vado, New Mexico. Over the years the Ranch has provided recreation and rehabilitation to needy youth, housed hundreds of visitors from all over the world, run retreats for young and old, and is home to KJES International Shortwave Radio Station which broadcasts to every continent. A weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting started by Fr. Thomas expanded to incude catechism classes for children, individual counseling, and times for the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Fr. Thomas leaves a legacy of deep spiritual faith, a strong commitment to social justice and an unwavering obedience to God's Word.

The funeral Mass, presided by Most Reverend Armando Ochoa, Bishop of El Paso, was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in El Paso on Friday, May 12, 2006. Following the Mass, Fr. Thomas' body was laid to rest in the Jesuit section of Concordia Cemetery.

May he rest in peace!