Carol Thomas, 90; Played Key Role at UCLA Extension

Carol Baker Thomas, a resident of Pacific Palisades for 52 years, passed away on June 18 at the age of 90.   Born November 30, 1921 in Florence, Alabama, Carol was one of seven siblings. She graduated from Florence State Teacher’s College (now North Alabama State University) in 1940.   In 1945, Carol married Thomas Thomas, whom she met on a blind date arranged by her sister, Louise. He served as a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and flew B-24s in World War II. His subsequent career in Hollywood included agency producer, director, and character actor for more than 50 years.   Carol and Tommy became residents of Pacific Palisades in 1959. In the same year, they adopted a baby girl, Ellie, who completed her schooling in Pacific Palisades and graduated from UCLA.   In addition to being a housewife and mother, Carol joined the Palisades Junior Women’s Club early on and was elected health chairwoman. At the age of 37, she became a junior member of the Pacific Palisades community organization, Las Doradas, and supported the Las Doradas Children’s Center. Although three years past the required age of junior membership, Carol and others of her ilk felt that they were too young and gorgeous to be relegated to senior status.   In 1984, at the age of 63, Carol joined the department of UCLA Extension-Education. Her primary role was administrative assistant for the state-funded Academy of Performing and Visual Arts–a Saturday program for high school students featuring professional artists, actors, musicians and others from the arts as instructors. The successful program served more than 1,000 students from 39 school districts.   Carol’s public relations experience, gracious personality and strong interpersonal skills enabled her to be a role model in customer service for her colleagues in the department and throughout the Extension organization.   She retired in 1991, but was recalled three months later because the department couldn’t live without her. Her final retirement was in 2007 at the age of 86. Carol was a perfect example of the wisdom of the Age Discrimination Act.   As she wished, her body was donated to UCLA Medical School for teaching and medical research.   Carol was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Thomas. She is survived by her daughter, Ellie Hubbard (husband Frank), who reside in Canby, Oregon; grandchildren Andrew and Emily Shartle; and step-granddaughter Mariah Hubbard.