Avis de décès de Charles-B Thomas

VERNON | Charles B Thomas, age 98, of Vernon, Alabama, died Monday, December 8, 2014, at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 11, 2014, at Chandler Funeral Home in Vernon, Ala. Visitation will begin at 12 noon with the service following at 2 p.m. Officiating the service will be former Pastor Nicky Faught and Eddie Finch. Burial will follow in the Vernon City Cemetery.He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Frances Aileen Thomas; his parents, Anderson and Connie Thomas; son David W Thomas; and brothers, James Thomas, Clifton Thomas, and Ralph Thomas. Charles is survived by his son, Elmer Thomas (Libbie) of Vernon; daughter, Kay Strickland of Jupiter, Florida; and son, Fred Thomas (Mary) of Vernon and daughter, Pat Thomas; his grandchildren, Jamie T Covington (Mitch) of Murrieta, Calif., Beth T Butler (Heath) of Vernon, Julie T Koukos (Tommy) of Madison, Ala., Mark Thomas (Angie) of Vernon, Andy Thomas of Decatur, Ala., Randy Thomas of Decatur, Ala., Davey Thomas of San Diego, Calif., Brad Thomas of Vernon, Joey Thomas (Kasey) of Vernon, Susie Lenahan (Justin) of Birmingham, Ala.; and 15 great-grandchildren. Charles was born in Sulligent, Ala. on August 15, 1916. He Iater made his home in Vernon and married Aileen in July of 1942. Charles was a pioneer in the trucking business and brought the Iog and coal trade to Vernon in 1938. He Iater joined the Air Force and was stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey from 1942 - 1945. On his way home after being honorably discharged he bought and brought back three trucks and began hauling corn and grain throughout Alabama and the Mississippi Delta. From there Charles continued to build on his trucking and milling expertise and started Vernon Milling Company. In the early 50's with dear friend Sam Collins; started Fayette Grain & Feed. Around 1954 he built West Side Service Station and two years Iater started Vernon Truck Center (Southland International Trucks) with partners, Ralph Thomas and Bernice Butler. Later on in the 1960's he got into the cattle, hog, and egg business and in 1967 started up T&T Trucking, hauling live chickens in Jasper with Elmer and Ralph Thomas. Setting off in a new direction he began Thomas Home Builders in the 80's developing Ridgeland and Sherwood Forest Subdivisions in Columbus and then doing the same in Vernon. Never retiring he completed his last home about two years ago. And if anyone ever needed to work, Mr. Charles would always find a job for them to do.Known fondly in the community as Mr. Charles, he was always driving around checking on things and people –making sure everything was running as it should. He was recognized as Citizen of the Year in the early 2000's by the Vernon Chamber of Commerce for all of his contributions to the town. He was a lifelong member of the Vernon Church of Christ and was there to help out or Iend a hand where needed. He was a role model as a husband, father, grandfather and businessman. His presence will be missed. A special thank you goes out to Sible Thomas for being Mr. Charles's caregiver, grounds keeper, chauffeur, cook, and business manager. Thank you also to Tracey Salters, Mattie Prater, and Tammy Metcalfe for also being kind and compassionate caregivers. Charles and Aileen built their farm and pond in Crossville in 1960 and shared many special times with family and friends for birthdays, reunions, fishing, swimming and homemade peach ice cream. Pallbearers will be Mark Thomas, Andy Thomas, Randy Thomas, Joey Thomas, Brad Thomas, Tyler Covington, and Alex Covington.Honorary pallbearers are Lance Thomas and VMC drivers.