Lee Macdonald Thomas

Lee M. Thomas, age 85 passed away on August 24, 2021. He was born on December 23, 1935 in the Woodlawn community of Birmingham, Alabama to Roy and Katherine Franks Thomas. He attended Minnie Holman Elementary School, Woodlawn High School and the University of Alabama where he graduated in 1958.

He was an accomplished trombonist in the Woodlawn High School Band, the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band, and later in the Birmingham Community Concert Band, the Good Times Jazz Band and other local bands. He served in the Alabama Army National Guard and was in the Alabama Army National Guard band. Music was always his passion.

Raised in Woodlawn Baptist Church of Birmingham, he was later a member of Parker Memorial Baptist Church of Anniston and First Baptist Church and Southside Baptist Church of Birmingham. He served as a Deacon in First Baptist Church and Southside Baptist Church.

His entire career was spent in various aspects of the radio and television industry. He began that career while still in college. Following college he was employed by WEZB in Birmingham, WHMA in Anniston, and WBRC, WERC and WZZK in Birmingham.

He is survived by wife, Linda Waddell Thomas of Birmingham; sons, Philip Thomas (Renessa) of Birmingham, David Thomas (Amanda) of Birmingham and Donald Thomas of Memphis, Tennessee; sisters, Sara Jackson and Susie Hammers of Birmingham; brothers, John Thomas and Bob Thomas of Birmingham; grandchildren, Dillon, Alastair, Ellery, Gillian, Dean and Evangeline Louise of Birmingham.

Lee will always be remembered for his kind and gentle spirit.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 27 at 12:00 noon at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Anniston, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to College of Arts and Sciences, Attn: Pam Harrell, Box 870268, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. Include: for Million Dollar Band in memory of Lee Thomas, link - giving.ua.edu