Clarence Ray Thomas

Clarence Ray Thomas, 95, of Climax, North Carolina, passed away Monday evening, December 30, 2013, at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. Born September 16, 1918, in Randolph County, he was the son of George Newton Thomas and Dora Freeman Thomas. In his early years, Ray and brother, Cliff operated service stations in Asheboro, but in the early 1950s, he moved to the country where he farmed the remainder of his working years. He was a member of Asheboro Friends Meeting, where he sang in the choir and was a committed member of Quaker Men. He was also able to help rebuild homes on several trips with the N.C. Friends Disaster Service. In his community he was an early member of the Climax Volunteer Fire Department and the Red Cross Civitans. Ray and his wife Pauline shared a love of camping, spending many weekends with the Randolph Ramblers at Ramblers Roost; later, upon retirement, they traveled in their camper throughout the United States. In addition to his parents Ray was preceded in death by five brothers: Clyde, Clifton, Carlton, Floyd, and Linney Thomas and two sisters, Jewell Johnson and Alberta Allen, as well as his daughter, Janet Thomas Morris and great-granddaughter, Leah Elizabeth Way. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Pauline Steed Thomas; one son, Neal Thomas and wife Susie; granddaughter; Martha Way and grandson; Doug Thomas and wife Lorraine. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren; Will, Cam and Mailey Way and Anna, Luke and Andrew Thomas; several nieces and nephews; special family friends, Evan and Pam Griffin. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Asheboro Friends Meeting with the Reverends Ken and Pat Thames officiating. Memorials may be sent to the Whites Memorial Athletic Association, 2930 Whites Memorial Road, Franklinville, NC 27248.