Howell Beauregard Thomas

Howell Beauregard Thomas also fondly known as Howell B or Hal B, 86 years old, of Gainesville, Ga, received the heavenly reward he had prepared for his entire life, on September 23, 2023.
Howell was a lifelong resident of Hall County and was born on March 6, 1937 to O’Conner Thomas and Willie Mae Henson Thomas in Murrayville, Ga.
He graduated from Dawson County High School in 1955.
In the late 1950’s he helped start Mansfield Oil Company, kick starting a 55 year career and love of the oil business. Retiring after 30 years of service with Mansfield Oil Company he went on to start his own successful business, Thomas Maintenance Company still servicing and consulting with many oil companies for the next 25 years.
In the 1970’s he was paramount in helping create what we now know as the modern convenient stores in our area. He was on a strategic team and during a brainstorming meeting he suggested “Hop in Hop out” thus the Kangaroo was born. Howell coordinated the Building of all the Kangaroo convenient stores in the south east during his tenure.

Howell is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Audrey Teat Thomas of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie (Eddie) Puckett of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law Janet (Boyd) Helm of Gainesville; and two bonus sons Jeff Stewart and nephew Wendell Toney; grandchildren, Ashleigh Sims, Brooke Brown (Nathan), Jeffery Stewart (Amy), Cody Puckett, Sterling Helm (Callie) and eight very loved great grandchildren, Jaden, Savannah, Eli, Madisyn, Ezra, Jude, Colton, Nellie Belle; sister, Mildred Thomas Smith of Dawson County; brother and sister-in -law, James and Martha Thomas of Gainesville; sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Wayne Clark of Gainesville; and sister-in-law, Doris Thomas of Gainesville; many nieces and nephews.
Howell was preceded in death by his parents, O’Connor Thomas and Willie Mae Thomas; brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Bobbie Thomas; brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Betty Thomas; brother, Hayne Thomas and brother-in-law Kenneth Smith.
He was a loving father and grandfather. Howell had a love for life and a particular passion for Outdoors and History. He was an avid and excellent hunter, fisherman, trapper, gardener, hiker and made many trips out west with friends, brothers and sons- in-law camping & hunting. He also loved to pan for gold in the North Georgia Mountains and streams. During the last few years he had come to love racing through his grandsons. Although when asked if he wanted any of those icons on his tombstone he said that was not what he wanted to be remembered for.  He was also very active in his daughter’s educational business, educating student’s daily in survival techniques, common everyday living and many unique methods like bullet making or tanning hides. He was a beloved troop leader for Contenders for the Faith for several years and attended Spoken Word Church in Lula for the last 26 years.
Celebration of Life and Funeral Services will be held at Memorial Park on Saturday September 30th. Visitation will be from 11:00-2:00 with the Funeral service beginning at 2:00 in Memorial Park Chapel. Reverend Wade Dale will be officiating along with speakers celebrating his life. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following the service.
Special thanks to caregivers at “The Landings of Gainesville” for loving our hero and taking good care of him when we were not there.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com