JOHN H. THOMAS JR.
Nov. 25, 1930-Dec. 24, 2010
John Haywood Thomas Jr., 80, of Goldsboro, passed away Friday, Dec. 24, 2010.
A service of remembrance will be held Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Rouse Funeral Home with the Rev. Alan Lamm officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
John was born Nov. 25, 1930, in Wayne County to the late John Haywood Thomas Sr. and Pauline Uzzell Thomas. John retired from E.I. Dupont with 34 years of service. He was a member of Casey's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church and served with the United States Coast Guard. John was an avid baseball fan and supporter on the local level. For 33 years, John coached baseball in the Wayne County Little League, the Little Tarheel League and the Babe Ruth League. His teams won 26 county championships, 11 district championships and two state championships. In 1981, John was district commissioner for the All American Little League, which was a pilot program for the Babe Ruth Bambino League. In 1985, with T.C. West, John helped establish the Eastern Wayne Babe Ruth Association. John has served as president of the Wayne County Babe Ruth League, District 4 Babe Ruth Commissioner and president of the Eastern Wayne Babe Ruth Association. In 1998, John was presented the Eastern Wayne Golden Warriors Award. John also enjoyed boating and fishing.
John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sophia Hare Thomas; son, James Robert Thomas and wife, Charlene, of Goldsboro; daughter, Mary Susan Thomas Uzzell and husband, J.C. of Goldsboro; sister, Beulah Thomas Sutton of LaGrange; two brothers, Billy Ray Thomas of Washington and Joseph Donald Thomas of Wallace; three grandchildren, Mary Frances Uzzell Felzer and husband, Steve, Matt Uzzell and Jay Thomas; along with his faithful canine companion, "Sam." John was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Roland and Linwood Earl Thomas.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10 until 11 a.m. at Rouse Funeral Home and at other times they will be at the home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Memorials may be made to Wayne County Babe Ruth Baseball, 625 Foxwood Drive, Goldsboro, NC, 27530.
Arrangements are with Rouse Funeral Home, LaGrange.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 26, 2010 11:55 AM