Jacob Ryan Thomas of Sheridan, Arkansas was born June 19, 1986 in Searcy, Arkansas, the son of Ryan and Sherri Higginbotham Taylor. He was a graduate of Sheridan High School, Class of 2005 and a 2008 graduate of the Police Academy. He was employed at J Hook Towing, was a volunteer firefighter, a comedian, enjoyed woodworking and tinkering. He dearly loved Sheridan and Grant County where enjoyed volunteering and helping his community. He enjoyed being "Santa Claus" for many children and their families.

Ryan died at his home in Sheridan on Friday, December 4, 2020 at the age of 34.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ron and Judy Higginbotham, L.C. Thomas and Nell Casey.

Survivors are his father and mother, Ryan and Sherri Taylor of Bryant; his precious daughters, Arabella and Jordyn Thomas of Bryant; brothers, Logan Thomas of Fayetteville, Nathan Kirkpatrick of Sheridan; brother by another mother, Travis Browning of East End; sister, Natalie Kirkpatrick of Sheridan; grandmother, Mary Thomas of Judsonia; aunts and uncles, Melissa Higginbotham of Bryant, L.G. Grey of Bryant, Lorie Reaves of Republic, Missouri, Misty Goss of Judsonia, Jennifer Hopkins of Judsonia, Phillip Kirkpatrick of Sheridan, Ricky Thomas of Judsonia and Billy Thomas of Judsonia and a host of extended family members, cousins and many friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 10, 2020 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m.at Bethel Cemetery in the Ico Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Travis Browning, Derek Green, Andrew Reynolds, Kade Myers, Tim Howard and Terry Carter.