January 13, 1939 – March 3, 2026
Jimmie Rex Thomas, 87, of Kenosha, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Sheridan Rehabilitation Center in Kenosha with his family by his side.
Born in Fulton, MS, on January 13, 1939, he was the son of the late Leaton and Marie (Gilliland) Thomas. He moved to Kenosha in 1958.
On September 27, 1958, he married Betty F. Beasley in Kenosha, WI. She preceded him in death on August 1, 2013.
Jimmie founded Custom Tool & Machinery, a tool and die manufacturing company, which he successfully owned & operated for over 35 years until his retirement in 2009. He had an incredibly strong work ethic and an exceptionally creative mind for design, and his legendary machines were installed in many locations across North America.
He was a family man who cherished time spent with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. One of the traditions that he and Betty started was their famous Christmas Eve parties, which were an annual event that they proudly hosted for over 60 years for all of their family members & friends. Jimmie loved taking trips down to Mississippi to visit family and friends, and each time he drove there, he tried to break his drive-time record. He loved a good joke & often played harmless pranks on anyone unwary enough to fall for them. In more recent years, he took up baking & would make pies & cakes for just about everyone he knew.
He was an active member of the Fellowship Baptist Church and enjoyed helping run their food drive with his extended church family.
Jimmie is survived by his two children, Jeffrey (Mindy) Thomas of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Pamela (Langdon) Alger of Evanston, IL; four grandchildren, Taylor Thomas, Elliott (Rob) Hogan, Olivia Alger, and Langdon Alger; and two great-grandchildren, Brody and Dorothy Hogan.
He was also preceded in death by his sister, Betty Earnest.
The family would like to extend their thanks & gratitude to the nurses and caregivers at the Sheridan Rehabilitation Center for the great care & support they provided during Jimmie’s final weeks.
Visitation will take place on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Proko Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. Entombment will be private at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.
