Lawrence "Larry" Milton Thomas

Lawrence Milton

Lawrence Milton Thomas, 88, of Newton, NC died June 3, 2009.

He was born Dec. 31, 1920 in Lusk, Wyo. the son of the late Sam and Clara (Larson) Thomas. He was raised on the family ranch near Whitman, Wyo. and attended Pine Knott School.

While attending Lusk High School he worked for George Gibson at the Midwest Hardware. He graduated with the class of 1938 and attended the University of Wyoming. He was a Navy Cadet pilot for a short time in 1941 and returned to the University of Wyo. in 1942. He married the late Marcella Gorley in 1942 and graduated from the University in 1943. His Army career began in the ROTC Cavalry. In 1943 he completed Officer's Candidate School at Fort Knox, KY and received a Second Lieutenant Commission. Subsequently, he was reassigned to the 11th Armored Division as a tank platoon leader. He fought in the European Theatre in 1944 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star. He remained in the Army, serving in Austria, Germany and Vietnam, as well as seven different U.S. states.

Upon his retirement at Lieutenant Colonel in the Finance Corps in the U.S. Army, he and his wife, Marcella, lived in Colorado where he worked for the city of Denver in their accounting department. In 1980 they moved to North Carolina. He enjoyed golfing, was active in the Methodist Church and did extensive volunteer work for several organizations benefiting the elderly. He also volunteered with English as a Second Language for a nearby Community College. During his later years, while he and his wife lived at Abernathy Laurels retirement home in Newton, NC he helped residents with personal concerns such as finance questions, medical and insurance problems and even their gardening. Larry enjoyed people and cared genuinely about their needs. It was his joy and passion to be of assistance in any way.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, brother Samuel Thomas and sister Marguerite Davies.

He is survived by his daughter Diane Anderson and husband of Conover, NC; his son Kenneth Thomas and wife of Palmer, Alaska; three grandsons and four great grandchildren. Also surviving him are Nephews Don Thomas, Monrovia, Calif.; Larry Thomas, Spokane, Wash. and Doyle Davies of Lusk, Wyo.; nieces Roberta Davies of Laramie and Suzanne Owsley of Jeffersonton, Va.

A memorial service was held June 5, 2009 in Newton, NC. Memorials may be given in Larry's memory to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 926, Newton, NC 28658 or United Church Home Services, 110 Leonard Ave, Newton, NC 28658.

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