He grew up and attended school in Collins, MS, then attended Prep School at Marion Institute in AL, the University of Alabama and later obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of MS Law School, where he was the President of his Class. After graduating from the University of MS School of Law, he moved to Pontotoc and began practicing law at Doty and Thomas Law Firm. He began serving in 1993 as a Chancery Judge in the First Judicial District of MS.
He was an Army Veteran and served as a Commander of the Pontotoc National Guard. He was a member of the Pontotoc American Legion Post #16, the Pontotoc Masonic Lodge #81 and the Rotary Club. He also served on the Board of the Directors of the First National Bank, now known as First Choice Bank.
Judge Thomas was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pontotoc, and enjoyed Ole Miss Sports, fishing and golfing.
Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc, with Dr. Ken Hester officiating and Buddy Montgomery will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Pontotoc Memorial Gardens. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is honored to assist with the arrangements.
Survivors include his daughter, Deborah Anne Hughes; two grandchildren, Robbie Hughes and Greg Hughes; a sister-in-law, Lillian Thomas; three nephews, Dr. William Otis Thomas III, Sam Starnes Thomas and Dr. Blake Donald Thomas; and a very special friend and long-time caregiver, Kim Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William Otis Thomas, Jr. and a son-in-law, Robert Hughes.
Pallbearers will be Danny Weatherly, Ross Fleming, Mike Simon, Dr. William Otis Thomas, III, William Otis Thomas IV, and Sam Starnes Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be the Directors of the First Choice Bank and Dickey Crew.
Visitation will be from 12 to 2 PM Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 or at www.heart.org.
Online condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com
