Clinton Cecil Thomas' Obituary
Clinton Cecil Thomas, 76, died at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on August 17, 2009 after a lengthy illness.He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. Mr. Thomas graduated from Florida State University having attended with a football scholarship. He was employed by his family business McDuff Appliances in Jacksonville until he was 29 years old at which time he moved his young family to Memphis and opened Scott Appliances in 1962. This business expanded to include 12 stores in the Mid-South area. He eventually purchased his former family business in Florida, McDuff Appliances. The Tandy Corporation, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, acquired Scott and McDuff Appliances in 1985. Mr. Thomas then became a corporate president of the Tandy Corporation and spearheaded the national expansion of McDuff Appliances. After commuting from Memphis to Forth Worth for a number of years, he retired from the Tandy Corporation. He then entered the commercial real estate business and developed properties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. An avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing, he traveled to many parts of the world in pursuit of his hobby. Family and friends will remember him for his culinary skills which included expertise with barbecue. Mr. Thomas was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis. He was also a member of the University Club of Memphis, Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida, and Ponte Vedra Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.He leaves his wife of fifty-four years Sara “Gerri” Thomas and their four children: Joan Thomas, Beth Ploch (Tom), Steve Thomas, and Carol Blumeyer (Peter). He also leaves six grandchildren: Lauren Ploch, Shelley Ploch, Grace Thomas, Ellen Thomas, Ivy Thomas, and Peter Blumeyer.A memorial service was held Sunday, August 23, 2009.Memorials may be sent to the Baddour Center in Senatobia, Misssissippi or the Mission House in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
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