Donald Erick Thomas Sr. was the son of the late parents David Earl Thomas Sr. and Christine Lemmon Thomas. He was born December 15, 1961 in Fort Carson, Colorado. He was dedicated to Christ on March 18, 1962 by Chaplin Kenneth Blunt in Chapel 6 at Fort Carson, Colorado.

His family relocated to Dallas, Texas in 1965. Faithfully attending St. Paul Lutheran Church where Donald was baptized by the Reverend Paul Johnson on May 26, 1966 and confirmed May 1974. He was also a member of St. Paul's Chi-Rho Youth Group and continued worshipping at St Paul until 1983. He later joined the family of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church with Cheryl Thomas Jackson and son Erick. In 2008 he became an active member of Concord Baptist Church until his passing.

Donald began his education at Betty Lynn Academy where his mother was his kindergarten teacher. Also attending T. L. Marsalis Elementary School, W. H. Atwell Middle School, and graduating from "THE" South Oak Cliff High School in 1979. He matriculated to Prairie View A&M, graduating in 1983 with Bachelors of Science. Continuing his education, he attended Texas A&M Commerce and obtained a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing in 2006.

While attending Prairie View A&M, Donald was appointed to the Texas Railroad Commission by Governor Bill Clements. His professional career as an IT executive encompassed: 3-Com, Strategic Data Systems, CISCO and Palo Alto Network.

Donald was a Mathophila, loving all types of math: calculus, trigonometry, algebra and geometry. His love of math made him an expert at pool and chess, however, his favorite hobby was traveling. He loved to eat seafood on the wharf in San Diego.

Donald departed his earthly life on October 9, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, David Earl Thomas Sr. and Christine Lemon Thomas. His sister, Brendolyn Jay Baker, his brother, David Earl Thomas II.

Donald leaves to cherish his loving memories, his son, the light of his life, Donald Erick Thomas II. He also leaves Cheryl Thomas-Jackson (the mother of his son), his sister, Elaine Thomas, his nephew, Brandon T. Summers (Jael). His best friend, Clifton Walker. Aunts Dorothy Williams, Dorothy Lemon, and Bettye Jean Toney. Additionally leaving a host of other relatives and friends that will miss him dearly.