JD Thomas, 91, of Mars Hill, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2021. He is the son of the late Enoch and Rushie Bailey Thomas and a native of Madison County where he lived most of his life. In addition to his parents, JD is preceded in death by his wife, Lela Mae Rigsby Thomas; sons, Dorman and Dewayne Thomas, sisters, Ethie Miller, Mabel Higgins; and brothers, George, Bernard, Lloyd, and Watson Thomas. JD was a US Marine Corp Korean War veteran and was formerly employed with Savannah Nuclear Plant, American Enka Plant, and retired from Madison County Schools. He was honored with 50 years of service and served as commander with the Mars Hill VFW Post #5483 and was chosen as the Madison County representative at the NC Veterans Memorial.
JD is survived by his daughter, Kim Thomas; son, Mike Thomas (Pam); sister, Jean Sales; grandchildren, Greg Thomas, Nichole Buckner, Jason Thomas, and Stephen Thomas; great grandchildren, Kael and Lydia Thomas, and Zane Buckner; honorary grandson, Jonathan Shelton; several nieces and nephews, and a special niece, Debbie Debrow.
A funeral service will be held at 10am Friday, May 21, 2021 at California Creek Baptist Church with Reverends Josh McDevitt, Mike Thomas and Wesley Pike officiating. Burial will follow in the State Veterans Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Marine Corp. Honor Guard and the Mars Hill VFW Post #5483, who will also serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm Thursday at Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Flowers are appreciated or you may make a donation to Veterans Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Angi White of CarePartners Home Health Hospice for her loving care she gave JD over the last several months.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.