Gerald Donald Thomas

After fighting the good fight for 9 years Gerald is now in a better place- he died June 29 at Randolph Hospital. He was born December 28, 1928 in Greensboro to Vema McDonald Thomas and Paul Reid Thomas. He attended Greensboro City Schools and graduated from Greensboro Senior High School. He received a degree in Industrial Relations from UNC-Chapel Hill. During the Korean Conflict he served four years in U.S. Air Force Intelligence, two of which were served in Newfoundland. He was employed by Burlington Industries where he became the manufacturing executive of the Socks Division. When the division was sold to Kayser Roth he continued in that capacity with them. Following his retirement he continued to enjoy travel and meeting monthly with his poker club. Gerald was a past member of the Jaycees, and the Rotary Club in White Sulphur, WV and was an active member of the Asheboro Rotary Club. He served on the Board of Hospice of Randolph and was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Soup Kitchen. Gerald was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he was a Deacon. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Darlington Thomas; sister, Marjorie Thomas Monroe and her husband Carl of Greensboro; and niece and nephew, Ann and Fred Waddle of Raleigh. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 2:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Ave., Asheboro with Rev. Brian Gawf and Rev. Connie Weaver officiating. Inurnment will be in the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium. The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the church. Ann would like to thank Home Health Care at Randolph Hospital for their care and the many friends that have been helpful during Gerry's illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 420 West Walker Ave., Asheboro, NC 27203 or Hospice of Randolph, P.O. Box 9, Asheboro, NC 27204-0009. Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Thomas family.