From Yoko:

We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Phil Thomas. He was not only a great drummer but a great human being. I learned so many things from him and I'm having a hard time to accept the fact that he is no longer with us. 
He taught me by just being himself. How dedicated he was to the music. How tough but warm person he was. 

We love him and he will be living with us forever.

 -Yoko

Press release from HotHouse regarding the passing of Phil Thomas.
Tribute to Phil Thomas on JazzReview.com

Phil Thomas cuts a dashing figure perched astride his drummer's tool in his white cowboy hat. The otherwise unobtrusive timekeep is as reliable as a chronometric metronome, setting the pace for tunes like Cherry and I Want a Little Girl with a sedate, yet solid heartbeat. On Cherry his hands go one way while his head goes another in a swinging side-to-side counterpoint to his exquisite, bird-fluttering brush work.

Born in Chicago, Phil is an alumnus of DuSable High (as are guitarist George Freeman and fellow drummers Odie Payne and Gred Below -- all friends since their youth). While supporting his family at various endeavors including working as a deputy sheriff and police officer, he found time over the years to play with Memphis Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, Muddy Waters, Zoot Sims, Al Gray, Sonny Stitt, Wayne Bennett, and he spent more than a decade as a member of the Johnny Young Trio.

Phil has provided the beat behind the blues on the recordings of such artists as Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, J.T. Brown, Jody Williams, JImmy Reed; and on the soul and jazz recordings of Jerry Butler, Ramsey Lewis and others -- playing congas as well as the full drum kit. Along with bandmates Sonny Seals and John Watson, Phil was a member of "The Legends" of Fantasy Lounge renown.

Highlights of this career include working with Ike Cole and the Cole Brohters, a barnstorming stint in the '50s with Preston Love's Northwest Territory band, two amazing weeks at The Beaucoup Club on North Broadway with Billie Holiday, and tours with Charles Brown and Jimmy Reed. However of his 1998 tour of Japan with Clark and Yoko he emphatically states, "That was the best road trip I ever had."