Chapin, South Carolina - Norman Henry Thomas, 94, of Chapin, formerly Irmo, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Norm was born in Blakely, Georgia, November 1, 1927, the son of Bernice Clarke and Benjamin Franklin Thomas (deceased 1928.) In 1944 Bernice married Curtis Hightower Loyless also of Blakely who was a loving stepfather to Norm.
Norm attended schools in Blakely and Selma, Ala., graduating from Albert G. Parish High School in Selma. He served four years in the U. S. Marine Corps beginning in 1945 being honorably discharged in 1949. He majored in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech and began working as an electrical sales engineer with 3M Company in 1955. In the summer of 1958 he met Barbara Courtney and they married in December 20, 1958. They were blessed with three beautiful children.
He and his family were members of Salem United Methodist Church in Ballentine, SC. He served in many leadership positions in the church and was chairman of the Board when the Church on the Lake sponsored by Salem was begun. He was a member of Boyleston Masonic Lodge in Ballentine and the American Legion Post #193 in Chapin. He owned and operated Dutch Fork Grading & Construction Company from 1969-1976.
An avid sports fan, he enjoyed football in particular and always pulled for the USC Gamecocks, the University of Alabama and anybody that played against Clemson.
He and his family moved to a country estate on Kennerly Road in Irmo in 1960 where he and Barbara raised their family and enjoyed rural living for forty-three years. He coached little league baseball teams as well as the men's and women's softball teams of Salem and Shady Grove United Methodist churches. He particularly enjoyed maintaining their acres of pine trees, natural woodlands and fish ponds. In 1985 he was awarded the Conservation Award for the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District.
In 2004, he and Barbara, being both retired, moved to their newly renovated home on Lake Murray near Chapin. They enjoyed living on the beautiful lake, taking advantage of the many amenities it offered.
Norm is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Barbara, three children, Gayle Davis (Ken) of Toccoa, GA, Pam Coy (Bruce) of Summerville, and Clark Thomas (Laura) of Irmo. Six grandchildren, Kristin Davis (fiance Destin), Julian Coy (Kristen), Carra Beam (Jesse), Rachel Thomas, Adam Thomas and Sarah Thomas. One great-grandson, Jackson Ryan Gabriel Coy. He was predeceased by his parents and a grandson, Gabriel Michael Coy.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 12, at 3:00 at Salem United Methodist Church in Ballentine. A visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem UMC or to Epworth Children's Home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfuneralhomedutchfork.com for the Thomas family.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5