Karen Burkhart Thomas, 59, of Abilene, passed away peacefully Saturday March 8, 2014 at Hendrick Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday March 15, 2014 at Calvary Baptist Church at 1165 Minter Lane, at 11:00 a.m. with David Reeves and Stephen Eurich officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Friday March 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at North's Funeral Home at 242 Orange Street. Karen was born January 20, 1955 to Stephen F. and Mary A. (McNamara) Burkhart in Roswell, New Mexico. She attended Abilene High School, which she graduated from in 1973 and moved on to study at Hardin-Simmons University. Karen worked at Mack Eplen's Drivateria until 1974 when she began her distinguished career at Dyess Air Force Base as a clerk-typist in the personnel office, advancing to become the Civilian Personnel Officer in 1994. Amongst her many accomplishments in her 40 year Civilian Air Force career are ACC Civilian Personnel Officer of the Year, Best Civilian Personnel Flight, and was assigned to numerous Air Force personnel projects. Survivors include her husband Bob Thomas; son Kevin Thomas; mother Mary Burkhart; sister Lisa Burkhart; brothers Mike Burkhart and Robert Burkhart, all of Abilene; several aunts, cousins as well as her extended Air Force family worldwide. She is preceded in death by daughter Leigh Anne; father Stephen F. Burkhart; and brother Stephen J. (Buddy) Burkhart. Memorials can be made to either The West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford Abilene Texas or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas.