About Harold D. Thomas

Harold Darnell Thomas was born on February 26, 1955, in Houston, TX.  He graduated from Klein High School in 1973. Harold attended Texas Southern University, North Texas State University, and Lone Star Community College. His educational journey reflected his passion for learning and for understanding the world he lived in and the people in it. He went on to contribute his skills and dedication at Bettis Corp and within his communities (Houston, TX, Acres Homes, Garden City, and Richards, TX), where he encouraged the youth and young adults to become avid readers like himself. 

Harold believed in education to the fullest and, in his internal dialogue and narratives, often reflected himself as a “Lieutenant of the United States Army”, a “Doctor”, and a “King of All the Queens.” Not only was he an avid reader, but he also enjoyed writing short stories, telling jokes, and sharing his experiences and knowledge as he navigated this world. He often spoke in parables, using his background to frame religious messages that resonated with many people. He is known for telling jokes such as Acts 2:38, Pet Parrot, standing on the “corner of devastation and salvation,”  the baseball story, and many more short stories, parables, and poems.  He was also a talented artist, often coloring his pictures with great detail and creating a story behind the picture, and he enjoyed cooking, especially his delicious onion rings and fruit pies. His favorite books were the Holy Bible and Santa Biblica.

Harold was gifted with languages. If you heard him say, "La lengua que brinda alivio es árbol de vida," it wasn’t just gibberish. In English, it’s one of his favorite quotes: "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life." — Proverbs 15:4. He was known for his helpful nature and genuine connections.  If you recieved multiple daily phone calls, count it all joy and a blessing.  Harold never met a stranger and encouraged others to live by the Golden Rule. 

Harold preferred books to television—he claimed the only reality show worth watching was his own backyard. He worked the land and gardened like a man auditioning for an episode of "Extreme Green Thumbs" and walked barefoot or in cowboy boots, depending on whether he was feeling wise or wild. Animals flocked to him: horses, dogs, cats—if it could walk, swim, or slither, it got a free meal (usually dog food, no matter what species). He was the sort of "country boy" who could wrangle a tractor, cut grass with the flair of a lawncare Picasso, and still have a pack of dogs (thanks to Manuel, the canine Casanova) trailing behind him like a furry parade. And just when you thought you had him pegged, he’d remind you he was also a city boy—boots polished, wit sharp, and evolving in surprising ways. He used a Cash App, wore a smartwatch, called an Uber, and used AI—proof that even a country boy can go digital when it counts.

Harold dispensed nuggets of wisdom on laughter, kindness and survival. He lived fully, never missing fun, good food and drinks, music, or a spirited debate—bonus points if you kept up. Even though he was stubborn as an ox at times, he still emphasized to the young folks to be disciplined when navigating and surviving in this world.  The way he lived his life was meant to teach others more about themselves, helping everyone around him grow and become the best version of themselves. He encouraged others, insisting joy was best shared and a good time was mandatory in his presence. 

Harold illuminated the lives of all who knew him with his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to living fully and unapologetically. To know him was to love him, and to leave every conversation smarter and more amused. Above all, Harold deeply loved his family—his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and only sister were his pride and joy.

Harold touched the lives of all who knew him with his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering love for his family. 

Harold was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.  Paranoid schizophrenia symptoms primarily include intense delusions and hallucinations, often with a paranoid theme, alongside anxiety and social withdrawal. Key symptoms are strong beliefs that others are plotting against them (persecutory delusions) and hearing voices that no one else hears (auditory hallucinations). Individuals may also exhibit heightened anxiety, anger, social isolation, and a belief that their thoughts are being controlled or monitored.  

Delusions

• Persecutory delusions: A persistent and intense belief that they are being spied on, followed, poisoned, or are the target of a conspiracy. 
• Delusion of control: The belief that their thoughts, feelings, or actions are being controlled by an external force. 
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Hallucinations

• Auditory hallucinations: Hearing voices, which may comment on their actions or issue threats. 
• Other hallucinations: Less commonly, they may also experience visual, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory hallucinations. 
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Other common symptoms

• Anxiety and agitation: Heightened feelings of fear, anxiety, or anger. 
• Social withdrawal: Pulling away from friends, family, and social activities. 
• Emotional detachment: A reduced ability to express emotions, sometimes referred to as a "blunted affect". 
• Suspiciousness: General mistrust of others' intentions. 
• Disorganized thinking: Difficulty with clear and logical thought processes, which can manifest as jumbled or incoherent speech. 
• Negative symptoms: While paranoia is the defining feature, individuals may also experience a lack of motivation, decreased attention, or social isolation.