He retired as a mechanic from Coca-Cola after 43 years of service.
He liked to hunt and fish and was an avid woodworker. He was a member and served as a deacon at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Myrtle Mae Lee Thomas; brother, Billy Thomas; and granddaughter, Rachel Elizabeth Thomas.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Hicks Thomas of Cleveland; children: Bedford Michael Thomas and wife, Janet, (Minnis) of St. Charles, Mo., Burnard Steven Thomas and wife, Sharon, (Ricks) of Cleveland and Lori Lynne of Cleveland; grandchildren: Beth and Jennifer; four great-grandchildren; sisters: Gertha Dean Tilson, Bobbie Wilson and Lucille Vaughn, all of Cleveland; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 6, 2012, in the chapel of Grissom Funeral Home with the Revs. Victor Hayes and Johnny Hood officiating.
Interment will follow in Michigan Avenue Cemetery with the deacons at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive Suite 8, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Thomas family guest book at www.grissomfh.net.
