This memorial website was created in memory of our Dad, James (Tim) Virgen Thomas, Jr., 71, born on May 20, 1944 and passed away on April 11, 2016. We will remember him forever.
Plans are being made for a memorial gathering in Oakland in June. In the meantime, we invite you to leave your remembrances, photos, poems, condolences, expressions of love, gratitude, memories and wild and crazy stories here on this memorial site.
M'Balia Thomas and Stephan Thomas
Tributes
Leave a tributeMay the better side of our nature prevail. May all the bullies, thugs and tyrants hoarding and ruining societies all over the world, meet a brutal and just comeupance
peace, love and respect Tim
Dusk, Corner of Broadway and Hillcrest
In memory of and to honor, Tim V Thomas
When the sky’s purple scrim goes silver, then gray
and the moon drifts above the butcher shop roof,
I do not know, I cannot say for certain . . .
Maybe the sly grin, the half shuttered eyes taking in
the rush to do all of the things we do in a home
at the end of a day say: dusk amuses me. Maybe you
or I would call the four hours the moon uses to rise
and arc across Broadway, a wait, not see them as he does
―moments strung together which come and take leave
much like the cars and pedestrians, or the gusts
that swirl leaves at the curb.
Once, before the rains, I’d see him on the corner, smiling.
How’d he say it?
I’m learning to look. Looking to see.
Different than waiting.
Can you see?
I do not know, I cannot say for certain but tonight the street beam
and the moonbeam and the date palm tops and the wind
and the roof tiles make a shadow
in a shadow
in a shadow―
the shape sleep makes, the black canvas cape,
the stucco arch of the coffee shop.
A dog walks by, the one who has shared with him
its dream in which it never waits.
I do not know, I cannot say for certain
but maybe the dog says:
You look tired. You all right?
I’m nearly certain he says
Yeah. I’m okay.
I’m fixing to rest my eyes on a home.
Something I will always remember about Tim--his concise interpretation of dialectics when we were discussing a problem and how to go about solving it. He'd say, "Let's divide one into two." Or he'd say about a protracted campaign, the complex of tactics and strategy: "It's a process, not an event."
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I recall Tim's approach to the grappling with folk he was allied with, but who he felt had violated a political principle. He was quite frank, quite blunt. But always, when Tim valued someone's contribution to the struggle for democratic rights, for revolutionary change, he endeavored to end such a grapple with a hand and heart of friendship.
He was interested in going far. Together. And going by asking questions and offering readings and giving his time. I am a better person to know him.
¡Tim Thomas presente!
Rest in Power
M'Balia and Stephan you have our love and friendship.
Leave a Tribute
May the better side of our nature prevail. May all the bullies, thugs and tyrants hoarding and ruining societies all over the world, meet a brutal and just comeupance
peace, love and respect Tim
A Bulldog for Justice
Since I have known Tim he always, without fail, wore bulldogs (or Raiders) athleticwear. Georgia. South Carolina State. Not sure when I connected this to his email address, "mamasbulldog". As I knew him, Tim approached his life work in a relentless manner. Over many meals -- always with Tim sporting a bulldog and sometimes two (sweatshirt and hat) -- he would bring us back to the important questions. And in deeply humanistic way. One of the many lessons Tim taught me is that strong belief in a political line arced toward justice is not contrary to caring for each other as people.
Dad and his sayings
My dad had all kinds of weird sayings. They used to drive my crazy as a kid, but as an adult I would often tease him about these sayings. My favorite was the following: "If you see me and a bear fighting...help the bear!"
I miss you dad, and I will keep your sayings close to heart. Thanks for the Lenin books ~