“You only go through life once, so you might as well go 100% for Jesus.”
Richard was born in Seffner, Florida, on March 1, 1928, as the youngest to Wayne and Dorothy Thomas, whom he wed after his 1st wife died in an epidemic. They were one of the wealthiest families but lived modestly in a rural farm area. His father was Protestant but his mother was a strong Catholic who raised their children in their faith.
Rick grew up fishing, hunting, and horseback riding on the open range but with lots of work and responsibility. He was well-behaved, a top student, and wanted to be a horse trainer although his parents had other plans. At 16, while trying to train a difficult horse, he rested under a tree and heard a strong call from God to be a priest. It made him miserable and he had no interest. Still he listened and obeyed the call.
The 1st person he told was the principle, who was a priest, and who had invited him to join the Society of Jesus, which he did. Although bored and joking his way through, he continued because God told him to, and was ordained in San Francisco when he was 30.
He taught high school in Dallas and New Orleans before being transferred to Our Lady’s Youth Center, a ministry to the poor in El Paso. He took over as the executive director and expanded it to include ministries to the poor in Juárez, Mexico including food banks, medical clinics, prison and mental hospital ministries, and schools.
He became a “lone ranger” priest who was deeply involved, and beloved in his local community. He did whatever he could, to do what he believed God wanted him to do. He was joyful and faith radiated from him.
On Christmas in 1972, he went with volunteers to deliver food to those who were scavengers at a dump in Juárez. They gathered enough for 150 people but in a recreation of the multiplication of loaves and fishes, they were able to feed over 300. Remaining food was delivered to 3 orphanages. Miracles became a regular occurrence in his ministry.
In 1975, he founded the Lord’s Ranch in southern New Mexico. Starting as a summer camp, it grew a missionary community dedicated to serving the poor. It provided rehabilitation to needy youth, housed hundreds of visitors from all over, and ran retreats. They also held several food banks, a Montessori school, and medical clinics with volunteers teaching catechism.
He was arrested multiple times for nonviolently protesting outside abortion clinics and supported women who were in difficult circumstances. The pro-life community is vibrant in the area because of his mentorship.
He died of natural causes at The Lord’s Ranch, at the age of 78, on May 8, 2006.
Upon his death, calls for his canonization began immediately. The USCCB have affirmed their support for the advancement of the cause of beatification and canonization on the diocesan level.
For God’s Glory.
The Lord’s Ranch
