May 12, 1942 – May 11, 2012

Rev. Charles Rickard Thomas Jr. died Friday, May 11, 2012 at Emory University Hospital from complications related to cancer. He was born to Charles R. Thomas Sr. and Florence Aladene Ables Thomas in Tampa, Florida at St. Joseph’s Hospital, which he referred to as “the old wooden hospital.” He considered Georgia his home, having graduated from Savannah High School in 1960. He attended Emory University and graduated from West Georgia College (1963) and Candler School of Theology (1966).
Rev. Thomas was an active member of the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. He served the following congregations Paulding Circuit (Pleasant Grove UMC, Wesley Chapel UMC, Smyrna UMC, Mt. Nebo UMC, and Flint Hill UMC; 1960-1963), Alcovy UMC and Mt. Pleasant UMC on the North Covington Circuit (1963 – 1966), Salem UMC (1966 – 1968) Grant Park UMC (1968 – 1973), Leland UMC (1973 – 1978). Madison First UMC (1978 – 1984), West Rome UMC (1984 – 1992), Haygood Memorial UMC (1992 – 1993) Bethany UMC (1993 -2003), and East Cobb UMC (2003 – 2005). He “retired” in 2005 and subsequently serviced with Cumberland UMC (2005 – 2006), Paces Ferry UMC (2006 – 2012), and Leland UMC (2008-2012). He was president of the Union Campground board and enjoyed preaching there and at Bethel Campground during Camp meetings. He married Barbara Ann Harris on June 11.1964, calling this “the best decision I ever made after accepting Jesus as my savior.” They had four children Rebecca (1966), Elizabeth (stillborn 1968), Mary (1970) and Tim (1973) and five grandchildren (Hannah – 1968, Matthew – 1998, Claire – 2001, Thomas – 2004, and Joshua – 2008). He was excited about an upcoming sixth grandchild, “who will carry on the Thomas name.” Rev. Thomas loved his family and preferred spending time doing anything that involved them.
In addition to the above members he is survived by his sister Sue Aladene Stone and brother-in-law David Stone, his mother-in-law Clara Harris, two sons-in-law Ramsey Mohandiss and Richard Mandell, a daughter-in-law Andrea Thomas and a large extended family.
Visitation was Sunday, May 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 6 – 8 p.m. at Carmichael funeral Home in Smyrna. Funeral service was held Monday May 14 at 11 a.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church, 760 Hurt Road, Smyrna with Revs. Terry Phillips, Ted Rollins, Dr. Jerry Newsome and Steve Unti officiating. Graveside service was held Monday, May 14th at Union United Methodist Church Cemetery, 186 Union Road, Waco, GA at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations shall be made to the Stiles Bradley Fund of Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Road NE, Room C204, Atlanta, GA 30322.

Printed in the May 17, 2012 edition.