Hoyle C. Thomas, a former Nazarene minister who led two districts as superintendent, passed away Wednesday. He was 91.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thomas was a 1941 graduate of what is now Southern Nazarene University and in 1980 Northwest Nazarene College (now University) conferred upon him a doctor of divinity degree.

Thomas began his ministerial career as a 22-year-old pastor for the Maple Park Church of the Nazarene on the Kansas City District. He later pastored Joplin First in Missouri, Greensboro Central in North Carolina, Mobile First in Alabama, Tulsa Central in Oklahoma, Newton Church of the Nazarene in Kansas, and Ontario Church of the Nazarene and San Diego University Avenue Church of the Nazarene in California. He also served as secretary of the Southern California District, was on the Board of Regents and Board of Directors at NNC, and was a member of the Quadrennial General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene at least five times.

In 1971, he was appointed district superintendent for Nebraska by General Superintendent V. H. Lewis when Whitcomb B. Harding, superintendent of the Nebraska District for 20 years, suffered a heart attack at a regional youth conference in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and died. Thomas was elected to stay as superintendent of Nebraska at the district’s next assembly.

Thomas served as Nebraska D.S. until 1977, when he was appointed superintendent for the Intermountain District by General Superintendent Eugene L. Stowe. He served as Intermountain D.S. for more than 11 years.

Thomas and his wife, Juanita, later moved to Oklahoma. She passed away in November 2002.

Hoyle Thomas resided in Yukon, Oklahoma, in his final years.

Funeral information is pending. Services will be at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma.

Updated information, including specifics regarding survivors, will be posted here when made available.