1948
Richard
2016
Richard Laurel Thomas, Sr.
November 5, 1948 — February 25, 2016
Commander Richard (Rick) Thomas, Sr. of Cape Charles, Virginia passed away peacefully on February 25, 2016 at Heritage Hall in Nassawadox, Virginia after a long and courageous battle against cancer.
Rick was born in Clovis, New Mexico to the late Henry Edward Thomas and Lucinda Pearl (McDowell) Thomas. Rick left Clovis and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January of 1968. After attending Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science through the Navy's NESEP program, he was commissioned in August of 1975. While in the Navy Rick went on to earn two Masters Degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Rick was also a graduate of the Marine Corp Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia. After a distinguished career serving aboard six ships and numerous shore duties he retired from the Navy in 1994.
Rick continued to serve his country after retiring from the Navy and became the Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs. After retiring from the Army civilian service Rick had accrued an impressive 43 years of Federal service.
Rick enjoyed many activities and hobbies but he was a man who loved Christ and devoted much of his time to the local churches wherever he was stationed. Most recently Rick was on the Board of Trustees and the Church Council at Washington Street United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. After relocating to Cape Charles he transferred his membership to Trinity United Methodist Church where he served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the Church Council and the Finance Committee. Rick was also a member of the United Methodist Men and American Legion Post #56.
Rick is survived by his wife, Ida Elizabeth (Franks) Thomas; sons, Richard L. Thomas, Jr. (Heidi) of Woodbridge, Virginia, Adam Courtney Thomas of Orange Park, Florida; daughter, Alice Elizabeth Thomas (Luke Holbrook) of Tappahannock, Virginia and three grandchildren, Madeleine, Hunter and Harrison Thomas of Woodbridge, Virginia. He is also survived by his brother, Dean L. Thomas (Elizabeth) of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and sisters, Wanda J. Lauderback, Peggy A. Butler and Cindy L. Blair (Lynn) all of Clovis, New Mexico.
He was predeceased by his brother, Henry Edward Thomas, Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico and sisters, Marilyn Rees of Portland, Oregon and Marsha Gail Thomas of Clovis, New Mexico.
The family would like to thank the remarkable medical team at the Massey Cancer Center at VCU MCV, the entire staff of the Riverside Health Care Systems and Shore Memorial Hospital of the Eastern Shore, the staff at Heritage Hall and the compassionate and professional nurses of Riverside Shore Hospice.
Rick will be laid to rest with full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o Trudy Ramer, Post Office Box 326, Cape Charles, Virginia 23310.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home in Cape Charles, Virginia.
Rick was born in Clovis, New Mexico to the late Henry Edward Thomas and Lucinda Pearl (McDowell) Thomas. Rick left Clovis and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January of 1968. After attending Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science through the Navy's NESEP program, he was commissioned in August of 1975. While in the Navy Rick went on to earn two Masters Degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Rick was also a graduate of the Marine Corp Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia. After a distinguished career serving aboard six ships and numerous shore duties he retired from the Navy in 1994.
Rick continued to serve his country after retiring from the Navy and became the Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs. After retiring from the Army civilian service Rick had accrued an impressive 43 years of Federal service.
Rick enjoyed many activities and hobbies but he was a man who loved Christ and devoted much of his time to the local churches wherever he was stationed. Most recently Rick was on the Board of Trustees and the Church Council at Washington Street United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. After relocating to Cape Charles he transferred his membership to Trinity United Methodist Church where he served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the Church Council and the Finance Committee. Rick was also a member of the United Methodist Men and American Legion Post #56.
Rick is survived by his wife, Ida Elizabeth (Franks) Thomas; sons, Richard L. Thomas, Jr. (Heidi) of Woodbridge, Virginia, Adam Courtney Thomas of Orange Park, Florida; daughter, Alice Elizabeth Thomas (Luke Holbrook) of Tappahannock, Virginia and three grandchildren, Madeleine, Hunter and Harrison Thomas of Woodbridge, Virginia. He is also survived by his brother, Dean L. Thomas (Elizabeth) of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and sisters, Wanda J. Lauderback, Peggy A. Butler and Cindy L. Blair (Lynn) all of Clovis, New Mexico.
He was predeceased by his brother, Henry Edward Thomas, Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico and sisters, Marilyn Rees of Portland, Oregon and Marsha Gail Thomas of Clovis, New Mexico.
The family would like to thank the remarkable medical team at the Massey Cancer Center at VCU MCV, the entire staff of the Riverside Health Care Systems and Shore Memorial Hospital of the Eastern Shore, the staff at Heritage Hall and the compassionate and professional nurses of Riverside Shore Hospice.
Rick will be laid to rest with full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o Trudy Ramer, Post Office Box 326, Cape Charles, Virginia 23310.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home in Cape Charles, Virginia.
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