Visitation will be held Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 9-11:00 A.M. at Eighth Street Baptist Church, 1420 North 8th Street, Kansas City, Kansas

Religious Service will follow at 11:00 A.M. at the Church.

Interment: Highland Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas

Alonzo (Skip) Thomas, III was born the first child to Barbara A. and Alonzo Thomas, Jr. on February 7, 1950 in Higginsville, Missouri. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Wyandotte High School where he excelled in football and basketball. Skip was awarded a scholarship to play football at Arizona Western Junior College, and then transferred to the University of Southern California where he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders to play professional football.

To his teammates as well as his fans he was affectionately referred to as “Dr. Death” due to his fierce tackling technique. His career with the Raiders spanned from 1972-1977. He wore #26, and was the starting Corner Back for most of his career in a defensive backfield that featured Willie Brown, and George Atkinson and Jack Tatum as safeties. All together they were known as the “Soul Patrol”. His career was highlighted by a strong performance in the Super Bowl victory over Minnesota during Super Bowl XI (1977).

After his professional football career ended, he worked diligently as a jailer for Wyandotte County several years, as well as for Weaver’s A-OK exterminators until his health began to fail.

He met and married Harriet Sims. From this union one son, Brandon was born.

Alonzo accepted Christ at an early age and joined Eighth Street Baptist Church where he attended Sunday Church School.

Alonzo “Skip” Thomas, III departed this life on Sunday morning July 24, 2011. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Thomas and Bertha Benton as well as paternal grandparents, Alonzo and Safronia Thomas, niece, Nikia Smith; uncle, Clyde Benton and aunts, Marie Turner, Lucy Webb and Niva Conley.

He leaves to cherish his memory, a daughter, Denise of New York, his sons; Alonzo Thomas, IV of Las Vegas, Nevada ; Brandon Thomas of Kansas City, Kansas; Teigh Thomas and Jordan Thomas of Kansas City, Missouri; and Andujuar A. Davis of Kansas City, Kansas. He also leaves his mother Barbara A. Thomas; his father Alonzo Thomas, Jr.; seven grandchildren, his sister, Janice S. Smith (John D) of Kansas City, Kansas; his brothers, Spencer (Tina) of Atlanta, Georgia; Frederick (Rita) of Kansas City, Kansas; and Christopher (Robyn) of Parkville, Missouri; a special mother figure to him, Larue Heath of Yuma, Arizona . As well as a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and friends.