Mr. Thomas was born into a large family of three sons and nine daughters in Roanoke, Alabama on August 30, 1935, the son of the late, J L Thomas and Ada Rochester Thomas. After marrying the love of his life, Winell Vaughan they moved to Lakeland Florida where they resided for fifty-five years. He owned and operated Mid Florida Excavating Company. He was a devoted Christian and was a member of the Mulberry Church of God. When their children were young they enjoyed singing in the Thomas Family Quartet. His greatest desire in life was to develop his relationship with the God he loved, and share his faith with others. He was very thrilled when a new church was being built in the area, and was always the first one on the site to use his skills to carry on the Lord’s work. Having love for his large family, he never failed to stay in touch with his siblings and their children. He was a loving husband and father who worked hard to provide for his family, and be the example for them that produced the accomplished and loving children he desired. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Winell Vaughan Thomas of Lakeland, FL.; son Stanley Thomas (Beverly) of LaGrange, GA.; daughter Yvonne Thomas Sapp of Lakeland, Fl.; and grandchildren Zack Patten (Renee) of Boulder, Co., D. J. Thomas of Atlanta, GA., A. J. and Shelby Sapp of Lakeland, FL.; eight sisters, Katie Baldwin, Francis Bowles, Mary Lou Nichols, Jinnie Smith, Hazel Franklin, Ruth Teague, Grace Scott, and Peggy Anglin; and a number of much loved nieces and nephews. Other than his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur and Billy Thomas; and sister, Dari Hodges.