Paul Thomas

Jesse Paul Thomas, age 67, of Asheboro went home to be with his Lord Thursday, August 23, 2012 at his home. Paul was born in Randolph County, June 27, 1945 the son of Duard Hervey and Bertie Horner Thomas who preceded him in death. The Celebration of Paul's Life will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the Sunset Avenue Church of God, 900 Sunset Avenue Asheboro, NC at 2:00 PM with Pastor Jonathan Shook and Dr. Tom Williams officiating. The family will receive friends and host a reception following the service in the Church Family Life Center. A private burial will be held. Paul grew up in the Brooklyn area of Ramseur, NC and was a 1971 graduate of Elon College. After college, he taught school and drove a cab in Columbia, SC. He then worked as a salesman for Olympic Paint and Stain Company covering much of South Carolina. He and his family moved back to Asheboro in the late 1970's and Paul worked for Albert Harrelson of Harrelson Rubber Company. With the blessing of Mr. Harrelson, Paul started Thomas Tire in 1981, working from his home many long hours to support his family. Paul built the business over the years and it now has around 100 employees. However, Paul was first and foremost a man of faith and family. He enjoyed anytime he could gather his family and friends together and feed them. He was known as "Big Daddy" by his grandchildren. Paul loved to travel, read and enjoy God's beautiful creation and he knew every bar-b-que restaurant in North Carolina. Paul was an active member of Bailey's Grove Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife: Sandra Hopkins Thomas; son and his wife: Paul Bryan and Anna Thomas of Asheboro, NC; daughter and her husband: Lorie and Andrew Vondrak of Charlotte, NC; daughter: Sally Ann Cox of Asheboro, NC; son and his wife: James David "Dave" and Roxanne Thomas of Asheboro, NC; grandchildren: Jonathon, Kari, Katelyn, and Blair Thomas, Adeline, Katerina, Elijah and Benjamin Vondrak and Hannah Ferguson ; one great-granddaughter: Emma Grace Thomas; sister and her husband: Mildred and Charles Gamel of Powder Springs, GA; brother: Harris Wayne Thomas of Asheboro, NC; brother and his wife: Robert and Sandra Thomas of Ramseur, NC; stepmother: Virginia Thomas of Asheboro, NC; step-sister and her husband: Judy and Freddie Gatlin of Asheboro, NC; his adopted brother: Carl Mulholland of Asheboro, NC and a host of nieces and nephews. Paul's family would like to thank the people of Randolph County for their support over the years and particularly over the last year during Paul's illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Bailey's Grove Christian School Scholarship Fund, 105 E. Beasley St., Asheboro, NC 27203.