Claude 'Tommy' Thomas

Mr. Claude "Tommy" Thomas, age 82, died Wednesday at East Georgia Regional Medical Center. He attended Valdosta State University and was a sergeant in the United States Air Force. Mr. Thomas worked as a salesman selling wire products and was the owner of Shaw Enterprises prior to retirement. He was an avid sports fan and was an expert ballroom dancer. Mr. Thomas attended both St. Matthew's Catholic Church and Emit Grove Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Perry Thomas and Carrie Bell Toler Thomas; his wife, Mary Lenihan Thomas; two brothers, three sisters and a niece, Lois Fernandes.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Craig Thigpen of Statesboro; three grandchildren, Tyler Thomas Shaw, Savannah Elizabeth Shaw and Katherine Nicole Thigpen; and his longtime companion, Patricia Carrier.

Visitation will be held Friday from 5-6 p.m. at Hodges-Moore Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Hodges-Moore Funeral Home with Father Tim McKeown officiating.

The graveside service and burial will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in Arlington Park Cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .

Hodges-Moore Funeral Home of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.