Rusty Thomas

Joel Raleigh "Rusty" Thomas, age 41, of Asheboro, NC died Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at Randolph Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Farmer United Methodist Church, 6127 Old NC Highway 49, Asheboro with Rev. Joe Connelly, Rev. Greg Davenport and Rev. Dan Duncan officiating. A private burial will held in the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery. Mr. Thomas was a native of Florala, AL, was a graduate of Surry Central High School in Mt. Airy and was a graduate of Central Texas College. He was employed with Townsends, Inc. in Siler City and attended Farmer United Methodist Church. Rusty was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserves, had served in "Iraqi Freedom" and was a Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. Rusty was an avid sports fan. He is survived by his wife, Camela Hammond Thomas, son, Tucker Thomas; daughters, Rachel Thomas and Anika Thomas all of the home; parents, Bob And Joyce Thomas of Paxton, FL; sisters, Leisha Lanz and her husband Keith of Lake George, CO; Meloney Tunnage and her husband Phillip of Troy, MO; Kim Kettelhodt and her husband Eric of Summerville, SC; DeeDee Reece and her husband Ken of Edwards Air Force Base, CA; brother, Rob Thomas and his wife Shari of Dobson, NC; mother and father-in-law, Doris And W.A. Hammond of Farmer, NC; grandmother, Callie Hunt of Paxton, FL; brother-in-law, Jonathan Hammond and his wife Gayle of Mt. Horeb, WI; 13 nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Farmer School Playground Fund, c/o Farmer Elementary PTO, 3557 Grange Hall Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205.