Richard Thomas

Richard was born in Jackson, MS on December 3, 1933 to Sadie and Nick Thomas. He graduated from Columbia Military School in Columbia, TN, and attended Ole Miss, but most importantly he was an avid Mississippi State Bulldogs fan.

Richard married Faye Rankin and together they had five sons. He is survived by his wife Faye; sons Richard Jr., Nick (Debbie), Chris, Paul (Inez) and Charlie (Jeanne); his sister, Joan Bat Moore and her husband, Pat; two granddaughters, Claire and Elizabeth, and many nieces and nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Sadie Thomas, and his sister, Betty Frost.

Richard served 28 years in the US Army and the Mississippi Army National Guard 134th Combat Support Hospital. He was the owner of Richard J. Thomas Builders and was a building and roofing contractor for over 50 years. He was a member of the Home Builder’s Association where he earned the distinction of Golden Spike, the Cedars of Lebanon Club, the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, and the Mississippi Army National Guard “At Ease” gang. He was a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison and previously Saint Richard and Saint Mary’s in Jackson.

Visitation will be held at Parkway Memorial Funeral Home in Ridgeland on Wednesday, July 13, from 5 pm to 7 pm. On Thursday, July 14, visitation will be from 10 am to 11 am, followed by a memorial mass at 11 am at St. Francis of Assisi in Madison, with internment at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton.

The family extends special thanks to Dr. Gene Loper, Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Walker and the Mississippi State Veteran’s Nursing Home in Jackson.

Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Palmer Home for Children in Columbus, MS.