John W. Thomas Jr.'s Obituary
John W. Thomas Jr. peacefully met God, His wonderful Creator, on June 6 at the age of 96 after fiercely battling cancer with confidence, courage, and a smile to the end. He died as he lived; love for God, love for his wife, love for his family, and love for his country.
The celebration of his life will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis in the Riverside Chapel on Saturday, June 21st. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. including military honors and a private family interment afterwards.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Robbie Thomas, his wife, Delores, his sister, Robbie Weaver, and one granddaughter, Laura.
He is survived by his brother, Phil Thomas (Brenda), his four children; Johnny (Cathy), David (Roz), Julianne Thomas, Jeff (Karen); eleven grandchildren, Drew (Annalisa), Heather Garner (Russell), Jonathan (Lauren), Sean (Holly), Kelly, Shelley Laney (Ben), Elise Hannaford, Andrew (Yumi), Bethani England (Wil), Caleb (Ashley), and Daniel (Mia) his eleven great-grandchildren; Ronan, Beck, Judah, Ezrah, Lynde, Luna, Noah, Eli, Luca, James, and Liam.
John was born on May 28,1929, in Memphis and grew up in mid-town near Overton Park. He graduated from Tech High School, attended Rhodes College, and grew up in Union Avenue Baptist Church with his parents. One day his heart was love struck when his eyes beheld a 16-year-old beauty named, Delores Cawthorn. He immediately asked a friend who she was and said, “I’m going to marry that girl!” When her eyes caught a glimpse of him, she also asked a friend, “Who is that handsome guy?” They were inseparable from that moment on for 67 years of marriage.
John worked with his parent’s bookkeeping company and had a summer job surveying with Memphis Light, Gas & Water. In 1950, his Tennessee National Guard unit was deployed to the Korean war. Due to his experience as a surveyor, they promoted him to first class Sergeant of the196 th artillery unit. During his tour of duty, he received two bronze stars, a Special Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart.
Upon his return he raised his family, continued his career in accounting with J. W. Thomas Accounting, opened an art gallery, enjoyed his creative oil painting skills, became a CPA, was managing partner of Frazee, Thomas & Tate CPA firm, acquired accounts that gained the firm national recognition, worked with other firms, TSCPA 2023 CPA of the year, and recently closed his 75-year career as sole proprietor.
John’s love for the family, and his adventurous spirit motivated him to build a lifetime of meaningful memories through travel.
He and his family moved from Union Avenue Baptist Church to Eudora Baptist Church and finished his church membership at Bellevue Baptist Church. At each church he was a faithful deacon, a member of multiple committees, was a choir soloist, taught many Sunday School classes and was an example of godly leadership.
John was a cheerful giver in every walk of his life. To honor his legacy, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts of memory may be offered to the following;
Memphis VA Medical Facility via https://www.va.gov/memphis-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/ or https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/48003968/
Love Worth Finding Ministries via https://lwf.org
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