James Earl “Leroy” Thomas, Sr., age 78, of Dayton, died early Wednesday morning, November 7, 2018, at his home. He was born November 11, 1939 in Chattanooga. Leroy was preceded in death by wife Linda (Campbell) Thomas; wife Frances Lee (Lawson) Thomas; son Curtis Eugene Thomas; parents Jesse Earl Thomas and Verna Lee (Long) Thomas; and step-granddaughter Ansley Fowler.
Leroy lived in Rhea County since 1996. He served his country with the US Air Force during the Viet Nam war. He was a sheet metal fabricator for TG Edwards in Chattanooga and was trained as a blacksmith by his father. Leroy attended the Vine Grove Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Annie McCoy of Dayton; two sons, James Earl (Roberta) Thomas Jr. of Orlando, FL and William Scott Thomas of Dayton; daughter, Cathy (Chris) Lynn of Etowah; sister, Lynda Morgan of Dayton; and six grandchildren, Corey, Chandler, Scotty, Tessa, Sarah and Kendall.
Graveside services with military honors for Leroy will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. John Allen Harwood officiating at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Please share your memories of Leroy on his online guest register at
www.vanderwallfh.com
.
The family is being cared for by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton where they will receive family and friends Wednesday after 5:00 p.m.