Earl Thomas

Earl “Dick” Thomas was born in Macedonia to Jeff W. Thomas and Jackie Vashti Maxey on January 25, 1932, the youngest of four siblings.

As a young boy he was always active and inquisitive, leading his father to “sign for” Earl to join the Air Force at age 15 1/2. He spent part of this time in Kansas, where it was so cold that he slept behind the stove in the barracks. After his discharge, he returned to continue his education at Shuqualak High School. During this time, he convinced his classmate Nellie Burton to marry him, and they remained sweethearts for all of their 55 years of marriage. Shortly after they married, he decided on a new career in the Marine Corps, and told many stories of his basic training at Parris Island, SC. In 1958, Earl and Nellie moved to New River, North Carolina, where Earl rebuilt an engine for the first time, in the living room of their tiny Airstream trailer. The Air Force, however, drew Earl away from the Marines, and into what would be his favorite career, aviation electronics. Earl and Nellie had one daughter, and Earl’s career took him and his family to warm climates in Orlando and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, as well as Hickam AFB Hawaii. The one break in this sunny career was the year he spent apart from his family in Thule, Greenland, while Nellie and Jackie lived in Macon in 1964.

After his military retirement in 1973, the family returned to Macedonia, and Earl worked at Senter Appliance and Murray Chevrolet, re-kindling old friendships and kinships and making many new ones. He eventually returned to aviation electronics which he enjoyed until his 2nd retirement in 2006. Most recently, Earl and Nellie moved to Raleigh to live with their daughter, due to Earl’s continuing and brave battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor and willingness to help other people, especially with repairing things. His caring extended even to the hunting dogs that visited their homeplace, including one beagle who frequently hitchhiked back to Macon in Earl’s truck.

Earl is survived by his wife Nellie, now living in Raleigh, his brother Jack Irby Thomas of Port St. Lucie, Florida, sisters Maxine “Dink” Weaver, Columbus, GA, and Eula Mae Bauer of Macedonia. Also, his daughter Jackie Thompson and son-in-law Steve Pope, grandchildren Robert Thompson and wife Tammy, Angier, NC, and Michelle Bradley, Christopher Pope and Andrew Pope of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Larry Thomas, Louisa, VA, Jack Thomas, Wichita, KS, Carol Ann (Weaver) Allen and Tommy Weaver, Columbus, GA, Karen (Bauer) Burke of Vicksburg,MS, and David Bauer, Tupelo MS.

Earl’s daughter Jackie would like to thank his and Nellie’s friends and extended family for all of their support during their last few years in Mississippi, as well as your many recent thoughts and prayers.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan 15. at Cockrell Funeral Home, Macon, MS at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Macedonia Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 6-8 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Macedonia Methodist Cemetery, c/o Bank First, P.O. Box 31, Macon, MS 39341.