French Thomas

French Thomas, age 95, of 796 Waters Road, Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord and family members that preceded him in death on Friday, January 26, 2007 at his residence following a long, courageous battle for his life. He was born on April 7, 1911 to the late Floyd and Mattie Greer Thomas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ora Francis Gentry Thomas, who passed away in 1985; one son, Willis Dan Thomas, who passed away in 2006 and five brothers: Charlie, Stacy, Roy, Fred and Vance Thomas. French is survived by three sons: Don Thomas of Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee, William "Bill" Thomas of Glade Spring, Virginia and Terry Thomas, also of Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee; two daughters: Carolyn Thomas Blair of Gainesville, Virginia and Ann Thomas of Bristol, Virginia; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and numerous friends. French was a lifelong resident of Johnson County and a member of St. John's Methodist Church. He was a farmer by trade, a life that he loved and retired from at the age of 65. He was also employed as Assistant Post Master at the Laurel Bloomery Post Office, from which he also retired. French was employed with the ASCS office in Mountain City, Tennessee for 60 years. During those years, he measured wheat and tobacco crops. This enabled him to meet many Johnson County residents and form many friendships. He was also employed by the Johnson County Mutual Fire Insurance Company for many years. French was a member of the Board of Directors for the Johnson County Mutual Fire Insurance Company and on the Life Saving Board for a number of years. Following retirement, French continued to garden, both vegetables and flowers. He also loved carpentry work and fishing. He lived life to the fullest and the time had come for a well earned rest. French will be missed by many for a long time to come. Services for French Thomas will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 28, 2007 from the St. John's Methodist Church with Rev. Mike Bowers and Rev. Steve McCready to officiate. Graveside Services and Interment will follow from the Acre Field Cemetery, Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. Active Pallbearers will be: Chris Galliher, Jason Blevins, Randy Thomas, Randy Crowder, Doyle Carlson and Jamie Thomas. The body will lie in state from 1-2:00 p.m. at the Church, prior to the Services. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home. At other times, friends may call at the residence, 796 Waters Road, Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.hux-lipford.com. Arrangements for the Thomas Family are in the care of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home of Mountain City, Tennessee.