Obituary for James Thomas, Jr.
James Thomas, Jr.
James Thomas, Jr., 84, of Hawthorne departed this life Sept. 29, 2017 at home after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Born Aug. 12, 1933 to the late James Thomas Sr. and Katie Thomas in Edgar, he attended grade school at Oak Grove Elementary School in Edgar. In 1950, he graduated from Central Academy High School in Palatka and went on to obtain his Teaching Degree from Florida Normal And Industrial Memorial College, St. Augustine in 1954.
While at College, Mr. Thomas was the student driver who transported the College President around the State for engagements and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served on active duty from 1956-58 at the former Governor's Island Military Base in New York City followed by four years in U.S. Army Reserves.
Mr. Thomas taught school in Putnam County, primarily at James A. Long Elementary School, for 39 and a half years before retiring in 1995. He was known for taking his students on field trips to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. He was recognized as Teacher Of The Year for his School in 1983-84.
Mr. Thomas accepted Christ at an early age. He served on the Trustee Board for many years at the former Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Hawthorne and later at his current church, Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church of Hawthorne.
Mr. Thomas served as Worshipful Master at Edgar Lodge #201 for more than two decades. In 2009, he was recognized by the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons PHA, Florida, Belize, Central America and St. John USVI Jurisdiction Inc. for 50 years of continuous faithful and devoted service to the Masonic Order Of Florida. Mr. Thomas also served with the local Johnson-area Community Organization Save Our Children Inc.; was a Board Member for The ARC Of Putnam County; and a Board Member for The Putnam County Ship Program.
He leaves to mourn his wife of nearly 60 years, Daisy Thomas; two sons, Jerome Thomas (Yvonne) and Terrell Thomas; two daughters, Devonne Jordan (Larry) and Jennifer Thomas; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Leola Jenkins, Elizabeth Waldon, Annie L. Holmes, and Beulah Carroll; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Celebration of life service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church, 146 S. CR 21, Hawthorne, Dr. Clarence Woods, is Pastor, Rev. Arthur McGruder is Presiding, his nephew, Rev. William "Billy" Hawkins, is Eulogist. Burial will be in Gilgal Cemetery, Mcmeekin. Viewing hours 5–7 p.m. Friday at Pinkney-Smith Funeral Home, 21400 SE Hawthorne Road, Hawthorne, and 12:30–1 p.m. Saturday at the church. No viewing after eulogy. The cortege will form 10:15 a.m. at Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas home.
Pinkney-Smith Funeral Home of Hawthorne.
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James Thomas, Jr., 84, of Hawthorne departed this life Sept. 29, 2017 at home after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Born Aug. 12, 1933 to the late James Thomas Sr. and Katie Thomas in Edgar, he attended grade school at Oak Grove Elementary School in Edgar. In 1950, he graduated from Central Academy High School in Palatka and went on to obtain his Teaching Degree from Florida Normal And Industrial Memorial College, St. Augustine in 1954.
While at College, Mr. Thomas was the student driver who transported the College President around the State for engagements and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served on active duty from 1956-58 at the former Governor's Island Military Base in New York City followed by four years in U.S. Army Reserves.
Mr. Thomas taught school in Putnam County, primarily at James A. Long Elementary School, for 39 and a half years before retiring in 1995. He was known for taking his students on field trips to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. He was recognized as Teacher Of The Year for his School in 1983-84.
Mr. Thomas accepted Christ at an early age. He served on the Trustee Board for many years at the former Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Hawthorne and later at his current church, Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church of Hawthorne.
Mr. Thomas served as Worshipful Master at Edgar Lodge #201 for more than two decades. In 2009, he was recognized by the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons PHA, Florida, Belize, Central America and St. John USVI Jurisdiction Inc. for 50 years of continuous faithful and devoted service to the Masonic Order Of Florida. Mr. Thomas also served with the local Johnson-area Community Organization Save Our Children Inc.; was a Board Member for The ARC Of Putnam County; and a Board Member for The Putnam County Ship Program.
He leaves to mourn his wife of nearly 60 years, Daisy Thomas; two sons, Jerome Thomas (Yvonne) and Terrell Thomas; two daughters, Devonne Jordan (Larry) and Jennifer Thomas; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Leola Jenkins, Elizabeth Waldon, Annie L. Holmes, and Beulah Carroll; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Celebration of life service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church, 146 S. CR 21, Hawthorne, Dr. Clarence Woods, is Pastor, Rev. Arthur McGruder is Presiding, his nephew, Rev. William "Billy" Hawkins, is Eulogist. Burial will be in Gilgal Cemetery, Mcmeekin. Viewing hours 5–7 p.m. Friday at Pinkney-Smith Funeral Home, 21400 SE Hawthorne Road, Hawthorne, and 12:30–1 p.m. Saturday at the church. No viewing after eulogy. The cortege will form 10:15 a.m. at Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas home.
Pinkney-Smith Funeral Home of Hawthorne.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
6
Oct
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Pinkney-Smith Funeral Home - Hawthorne
21400 SE Hawthorne Road
Hawthorne, FL 32640
Service
Saturday
7
Oct
1:00 PM
Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church
146 South County Road 21
Hawthorne , FL 32640
Cemetery Details
Location
Gilgal Cemetery
111 Gilgal Road
Hawthorne , FL 32640
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