Charles Thomas Sr.

Mr. Charles A. Thomas Sr., 98, of Temple, Georgia passed away Friday, August 17, 2018, following a brief illness. He was born April 19, 1920 in Whitesburg, Georgia the son of the late Mr. John Henry Thomas and the late Mrs. Ovie Allen Thomas. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. A successful businessman of the Temple community, he owned and operated Thomas Hardware Store for many years. He was a longtime member of the Temple United Methodist Church. Mr. Thomas was known as a southern gentleman and a family man. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Friddell Thomas; and daughter, Kathy Brock; brothers, Robert Thomas and Billy Thomas. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Charles A. Thomas, Jr. and Charlene Thomas of Temple; four grandchildren, Kevin Brock, Chris and Kelly Thomas, Jason and Jennifer Thomas, and Jennifer Thomas and Amanda Barham; great-grandchildren, Carson Thomas, Avery Thomas, Harper Thomas, and Cooper Thomas, Royce Barham, and Amelia Barham; caregiver, Gladys Williamson. Mr. Thomas held the highest office in his church, Temple United Methodist, chairman of the administrative board, while also serving as president of the Methodist Men’s Club for more than 20 years and teaching Sunday School. He also became very involved with the local Boy Scout Troop, leading many boys to Eagle Scout status and traveling with them to places such as the 1964 World’s Fair and the 1964 National Jamboree at Valley Forge. He was a Vigil Member of the Oder of the Arrow , and awarded the Silver Beaver, the highest award for a volunteer Scout leader.He received numerous awards including the 1978 and 1980 Outstanding Citizen of Temple award, the 1980 Sharing and Caring Award, the 1984 Business Man of the Year award, as well as many other honors, including recognition for his community work by the City of Temple in 1985.Before all of this, however, Mr. Thomas was in the 8th Air Force beginning in 1942 at Fort McPherson and moved to the Jefferson Barracks in Missouri for basic training. Later, he was relocated overseas to a supply base in England, where he remained for the majority of his four-year service. In 1945, after completing his service, he returned home to run Thomas Hardware and Furniture, Co. He operated that business for 40 years, until 1984, when he retired. After retiring, he and Virginia became interested in chrysanthemums and joined the ranks of the Georgia Chrysanthemum Society winning numerous state awards for their beautiful mums. They were very active in The Georgia Chrysanthemum Society, with Charles serving as president and board member and Virginia as secretary, and they showed mums all over the southeast. The family will receive friends at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Villa Rica, Monday, August 20, 2018 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. Funeral Services will be conducted Monday, August 20, 2018 at 3:00 PM at the Chapel of Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Villa Rica with Rev. Marc Dwiggins and Dr. Kirk Bozeman officiating and Ms. Jennifer Thomas providing the family eulogy. Interment will follow at Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors. Serving as pallbearers will be Nick Moore, Brian Parrish, Eric Posey, Clay Connaway, Billy Green, Jr., Dennis Allgood, Johnny Muse, John Baxter, Mike Allgood, Dale Parrish, Hiram Brock and Joe Carden. Those desiring to do so may make memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Charles A. Thomas Sr. to Temple United Methodist Church, PO Box 40, Temple, Georgia 30179. Messages of condolence to the family may be sent at www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Villa Rica is in charge of arrangements. 770-459-3694