Don Thomas' Obituary
Donald Arnett Thomas, 78, of Memphis, died Monday morning, August 8, 2011, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis, five days after suffering a pulmonary embolism. Born in Greenville, SC, he grew up in Knoxville, TN, attended McCallie Prep School and the University of Tennessee Knoxville graduating with a degree in Education, majoring in History. Thomas moved to New Tazewell, TN where he worked for the Stone Insurance Agency which he later purchased and eventually sold to E.H. Crump Insurance, prompting his relocation to Memphis in 1978, as he was the Exexcutive Vice President of the Holding Company of Crump. When Crump was purchased by Fred S. James and then Sedgewick, he became one of their top executives. He was active in church and charities, Thomas was a long time member of Christ United Methodist Church and an loyal supporter of the Church Health Center. He was an avid fisherman with a particular interest in freshwater bass fishing. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Saralene Johnson Thomas; daughter, Donna Thomas of Knoxville, TN; daughter, Missy Ingles (Thomas); son, Gordon Thomas (Peri); grandchildren, Carmen Ingles, Taylor Groesse, Jack, Clayton, Emma Kate, and George Thomas, all of Memphis; and his brother, Gordon W. Thomas (Nancy) of Knoxville, TN; brother-in-law, James F. Pack of Lawrenceville, GA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Reid N. and Lucile Thomas; sister, Joyce Thomas Pack; and his eldest son, David Reid Thomas. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 10, at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church with the receiving of friends to follow in the Church Parlor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Christ United Methodist Church Endowment Fund or the Church Health Center. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
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