Frank Hughes Thomas, Jr., age 74, of 1261 Cherrystone Rd. Chatham, died Saturday, March 16, 2013, at his residence.
He was born on January 29, 1939, in Vicksburg, Miss., and was the son of the late Frank Hughes Thomas and the late Bernice Wicker Thomas.
Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Commander after 20 years service. He was the first Captain of the U.S.S. Briscoe, a Spruance Class Destroyer.
Mr. Thomas graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University, where he played on the football team. He also studied and played football at Pearl River College in Poplarville, Miss.
Mr. Thomas was an avid runner who enjoyed music and played the clarinet. He was a member of the Chatham Lions Club and the Watson Memorial United Methodist Church. Mr. Thomas loved animals and volunteered for various local organizations.
He is survived by one son, Frank Thomas, III of Greensboro, N.C.; one daughter ,Susan Thomas and her husband, Simon Jeff of San Diego, Calif.; one sister, Faith Baker of Valdese, N.C.; four grandchildren, Keller Thomas and Carolyn Thomas, both of Greensboro, N.C., and Amelia Jeff and Evelyn Jeff, both of San Diego, Calif.; and one niece, Karen Porter and her son, Chance Sigmun of Valdese, N.C.; and two nephews, Brent and Byron Baker of Valdese, N.C.
Funeral services will be conducted at Watson Memorial United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 21, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Kay Barstow Gentry officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Burial Park, in Chatham.
The family will receive friends at Scott Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 20, from 7-8 pm.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Scott Funeral Home in Chatham is serving the Thomas family. www.scottfuneralhomechatham.com.