Hamburger Founder Dies, Leaves Legacy

If you've lived in Oklahoma for awhile, you've probably heard of Big Ed's hamburgers. The founder, Ed Thomas, passed away Thursday of congestive heart failure.

Saturday, January 31st 2009, 9:15 pm

By: News 9

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- If you've lived in Oklahoma for awhile, you've probably heard of Big Ed's hamburgers.

The founder, Ed Thomas, passed away Thursday of congestive heart failure. He was 66 years old.

He opened his first hamburger joint in Oklahoma City back in 1974 and expanded to 42 stores. Thomas sold the chain in 1996.

One restaurant remains today, as well as many memories.

"The flavor and the consistency, we know that every week when we get to come up here, that's it's going to be the same quality food it was last week, and the month before and the year before," loyal customer Larry Pettijohn said.

Funeral services for Ed Thomas will be 4:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Elijah Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City.