Richard (Dick) William Thomas
1929-2016
Richard ("Dick") W. Thomas has completed "one helluva tour of duty." Born on June 22, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, he passed peacefully at home on September 15, 2016 after a lengthy illness.
He excelled at everything he did, possessed an easy charm, and genuine joy of life. At 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and soon transferred to the U.S. Army, serving over 30 years. He proudly served with the 82nd Airborne Division, and later with the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving his country in both the Korean War and four tours in the Vietnam War. He received a battlefield commission in Vietnam, however, he was most proud of achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. He was the Operations Sergeant for Operation Homecoming in 1973, which returned U.S. Military POWs home from Vietnam.
Sgt. Major Thomas was a highly decorated soldier.
Following his retirement from active duty, he served as Chief of Police in Westover, WV, and later formed a Police Officer training company. After moving to Pensacola, FL, Dick enjoyed playing golf on NAS, working out at Corry Field gym, and spending time with his wife, grandchildren, and extended family.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Dorothy "Dottie" Thomas, and four children: Judith DePrisco, Knoxville, TN; Jacqueline M. Thomas, Pensacola; Major General Richard W. Thomas, Jr, M.D. (Patricia Thomas), and Jennifer E. Thomas (Greg Madonna), Fort Lauderdale, FL. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Aaron Kurincak, Evan Thomas (Dionne Thomas), Alex Kurincak, and Brianna Corn, as well as three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Lily, and Luke Thomas. He is also survived by special friend Martha Becerill, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert Ray Thomas and Esther Bower; brother Robert R. Thomas, Jr.; sisters Betty, Harriet, and Virginia; and his first wife Catherine Curran Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor Covenant Hospice, Pensacola, FL or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Published in Pensacola News Journal on Sept. 18, 2016
1929-2016
Richard ("Dick") W. Thomas has completed "one helluva tour of duty." Born on June 22, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, he passed peacefully at home on September 15, 2016 after a lengthy illness.
He excelled at everything he did, possessed an easy charm, and genuine joy of life. At 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and soon transferred to the U.S. Army, serving over 30 years. He proudly served with the 82nd Airborne Division, and later with the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving his country in both the Korean War and four tours in the Vietnam War. He received a battlefield commission in Vietnam, however, he was most proud of achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. He was the Operations Sergeant for Operation Homecoming in 1973, which returned U.S. Military POWs home from Vietnam.
Sgt. Major Thomas was a highly decorated soldier.
Following his retirement from active duty, he served as Chief of Police in Westover, WV, and later formed a Police Officer training company. After moving to Pensacola, FL, Dick enjoyed playing golf on NAS, working out at Corry Field gym, and spending time with his wife, grandchildren, and extended family.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Dorothy "Dottie" Thomas, and four children: Judith DePrisco, Knoxville, TN; Jacqueline M. Thomas, Pensacola; Major General Richard W. Thomas, Jr, M.D. (Patricia Thomas), and Jennifer E. Thomas (Greg Madonna), Fort Lauderdale, FL. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Aaron Kurincak, Evan Thomas (Dionne Thomas), Alex Kurincak, and Brianna Corn, as well as three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Lily, and Luke Thomas. He is also survived by special friend Martha Becerill, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert Ray Thomas and Esther Bower; brother Robert R. Thomas, Jr.; sisters Betty, Harriet, and Virginia; and his first wife Catherine Curran Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor Covenant Hospice, Pensacola, FL or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Published in Pensacola News Journal on Sept. 18, 2016
Richard (Dick) William Thomas
1929-2016
Richard ("Dick") W. Thomas has completed "one helluva tour of duty." Born on June 22, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, he passed peacefully at home on September 15, 2016 after a lengthy illness.
He excelled at everything he did, possessed an easy charm, and genuine joy of life. At 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and soon transferred to the U.S. Army, serving over 30 years. He proudly served with the 82nd Airborne Division, and later with the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving his country in both the Korean War and four tours in the Vietnam War. He received a battlefield commission in Vietnam, however, he was most proud of achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. He was the Operations Sergeant for Operation Homecoming in 1973, which returned U.S. Military POWs home from Vietnam.
Sgt. Major Thomas was a highly decorated soldier.
Following his retirement from active duty, he served as Chief of Police in Westover, WV, and later formed a Police Officer training company. After moving to Pensacola, FL, Dick enjoyed playing golf on NAS, working out at Corry Field gym, and spending time with his wife, grandchildren, and extended family.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Dorothy "Dottie" Thomas, and four children: Judith DePrisco, Knoxville, TN; Jacqueline M. Thomas, Pensacola; Major General Richard W. Thomas, Jr, M.D. (Patricia Thomas), and Jennifer E. Thomas (Greg Madonna), Fort Lauderdale, FL. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Aaron Kurincak, Evan Thomas (Dionne Thomas), Alex Kurincak, and Brianna Corn, as well as three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Lily, and Luke Thomas. He is also survived by special friend Martha Becerill, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert Ray Thomas and Esther Bower; brother Robert R. Thomas, Jr.; sisters Betty, Harriet, and Virginia; and his first wife Catherine Curran Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor Covenant Hospice, Pensacola, FL or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Published in Pensacola News Journal on Sept. 18, 2016
1929-2016
Richard ("Dick") W. Thomas has completed "one helluva tour of duty." Born on June 22, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, he passed peacefully at home on September 15, 2016 after a lengthy illness.
He excelled at everything he did, possessed an easy charm, and genuine joy of life. At 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and soon transferred to the U.S. Army, serving over 30 years. He proudly served with the 82nd Airborne Division, and later with the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving his country in both the Korean War and four tours in the Vietnam War. He received a battlefield commission in Vietnam, however, he was most proud of achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. He was the Operations Sergeant for Operation Homecoming in 1973, which returned U.S. Military POWs home from Vietnam.
Sgt. Major Thomas was a highly decorated soldier.
Following his retirement from active duty, he served as Chief of Police in Westover, WV, and later formed a Police Officer training company. After moving to Pensacola, FL, Dick enjoyed playing golf on NAS, working out at Corry Field gym, and spending time with his wife, grandchildren, and extended family.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Dorothy "Dottie" Thomas, and four children: Judith DePrisco, Knoxville, TN; Jacqueline M. Thomas, Pensacola; Major General Richard W. Thomas, Jr, M.D. (Patricia Thomas), and Jennifer E. Thomas (Greg Madonna), Fort Lauderdale, FL. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Aaron Kurincak, Evan Thomas (Dionne Thomas), Alex Kurincak, and Brianna Corn, as well as three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Lily, and Luke Thomas. He is also survived by special friend Martha Becerill, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert Ray Thomas and Esther Bower; brother Robert R. Thomas, Jr.; sisters Betty, Harriet, and Virginia; and his first wife Catherine Curran Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor Covenant Hospice, Pensacola, FL or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .
Trahan Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Published in Pensacola News Journal on Sept. 18, 2016
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
