James Allen Thomas Sr

Services for James Allen Thomas, Sr. of Thomasville, will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 7, 2019 at First Baptist Church Chapel. Born in Thomasville, GA on March 8, 1930, he was the son of the late William Richard Thomas, Sr. and Elizabeth Hartsfield Thomas. He attended the city schools, graduated from Thomasville High School in 1948 and went to the University of Georgia where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, Rho Chi pharmacy honor society and Gamma Sigma Epsilon chemistry honor society. He graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. In June of 1952 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, received his commission as an Ensign and served on active sea duty in the Pacific during the Korean War. He married Joan Riley, his high school sweetheart, on April 17, 1955. They returned to Thomasville where Jim resumed his pharmacy career with Thomas Drug Stores. On February 25, 1963, Jim received his official honorable discharge as a Lieutenant from the Navy. Jim was a lifetime Member of First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Thomasville Rotary Club, serving as president 1965-1966, was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow and recognized as a Will Watt Fellow. He served on the Board of Directors of Thomas County Federal Bank for over 28 years and on the Boards of the County Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Thomasville Arts Guild and Downtown Thomasville. He held memberships in the Thomasville Center for the Arts, Friends of the Library, Thomas County Humane Society, Landmarks, Thomas County Historical Society, American Legion Post 31 and the University of Georgia Alumni Association. He was predeceased by his only brother, W. R. Thomas, Jr., his brother’s wife, Jeanine D. Thomas and one brother-in- law, John T. Riley, Jr. Survivors include his wife, Joan Riley Thomas; four children - Jim Thomas Jr. (Cheryl), Margaret T. McCollum (Jim), David Thomas (Lisa), Paul Thomas (Susan); ten grandchildren - Catherine Thomas, Ben Thomas, Will Thomas (Elizabeth), Sam Thomas, Christine Thomas, Judy Thomas, Marie McCollum, Julie M. Friesen (Luke), Coleen Arcari (John) and John Roesel; two great-granddaughters - Braelynn Arcari and Kendall Thomas, plus numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Westcare & Bethany Hospice for the care they gave Jim. The family requests in lieu of flowers that any memorials be made to the charity of your choice.