Cover photo for James Earl Thomas Sr.'s Obituary
James Earl Thomas Sr. Profile Photo
1939 James 2018

James Earl Thomas Sr.

November 11, 1939 — November 7, 2018

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.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Earl Thomas Sr., please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Starts at 5:00 pm (Eastern time)

Vanderwall Funeral Home, Inc.

164 Maple Street, Dayton, TN 37321

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Service

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

Chattanooga National Cemetery

, Chattanooga, TN

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