James Kellett Thomas III, 85, of Thomasville, died November 29, 2014. He was born in Cedartown, Georgia, raised in Rome, Georgia and graduated from Central High School in 1946. He was the son of James Kellett Thomas, Jr. and Marguerite Reynolds Thomas, both of Atlanta, Georgia.
After High School, JK enlisted in the US Army, quickly rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Japan through the summer of 1948.
Returning from his first tour of military service, JK graduated in 1952 from the University of Chattanooga. At Chattanooga, he helped start and lead the Army ROTC, achieving the rank of Cadet Colonel and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After college, he was called to active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving on the Regimental Staff at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and in Germany during the Korean War.
JK spent the majority of his civilian career as a chemical and environmental engineer and phosphate mine manager. He retired in 1991.
While in Thomasville, JK was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and sang in the Chancel Choir. He was a Trustee of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation and a board member of The Thomasville Genealogical, History & Fine Arts Library.
Married 56 years, JK is survived by his wife Claire Flowers Varnedoe Thomas of Thomasville. He has 2 children: Claire Thomas Timm of Tallahassee and Kellett Varnedoe Thomas and wife Adrea Morar Thomas of Dacula, Georgia. He has 8 grandchildren: Hampton James Timm and wife Melissa Schafer Timm, Claire Flowers Timm, Margaret Howard Timm, Sheffield Heeth Timm, William Kellett Thomas, Jonathan Heeth Thomas, Hudson Varnedoe Thomas and Lawson Howard Thomas.
JK has 1 great grandchild: Lily Noel Timm.
A memorial service will be held this Saturday, December 6, at First Presbyterian Church, Thomasville at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in JK’s honor may be sent to the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, P.O. Box 1976, Thomasville, Georgia 31799 and the Thomas County Historical Society & Museum of History, P. O. Box 1922, Thomasville, GA 31799.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Kellett Thomas, please visit our flower store.
After High School, JK enlisted in the US Army, quickly rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Japan through the summer of 1948.
Returning from his first tour of military service, JK graduated in 1952 from the University of Chattanooga. At Chattanooga, he helped start and lead the Army ROTC, achieving the rank of Cadet Colonel and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After college, he was called to active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving on the Regimental Staff at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and in Germany during the Korean War.
JK spent the majority of his civilian career as a chemical and environmental engineer and phosphate mine manager. He retired in 1991.
While in Thomasville, JK was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and sang in the Chancel Choir. He was a Trustee of the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation and a board member of The Thomasville Genealogical, History & Fine Arts Library.
Married 56 years, JK is survived by his wife Claire Flowers Varnedoe Thomas of Thomasville. He has 2 children: Claire Thomas Timm of Tallahassee and Kellett Varnedoe Thomas and wife Adrea Morar Thomas of Dacula, Georgia. He has 8 grandchildren: Hampton James Timm and wife Melissa Schafer Timm, Claire Flowers Timm, Margaret Howard Timm, Sheffield Heeth Timm, William Kellett Thomas, Jonathan Heeth Thomas, Hudson Varnedoe Thomas and Lawson Howard Thomas.
JK has 1 great grandchild: Lily Noel Timm.
A memorial service will be held this Saturday, December 6, at First Presbyterian Church, Thomasville at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in JK’s honor may be sent to the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, P.O. Box 1976, Thomasville, Georgia 31799 and the Thomas County Historical Society & Museum of History, P. O. Box 1922, Thomasville, GA 31799.
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