Charles Ely Thomas, Jr., "Rocky", 80, passed away Monday morning, April 16, 2012 with family at his bedside.
He is survived by his children, Kim Farris (Wayne), Charles E. Thomas, III, Deborah Bauer, Mark Thomas (Sandy), Babi Tucker (Ron), Tracy Duff (David), Kelly Thomas and Josh Thomas (Pamela); 3 brothers, Karl "Bubby", John (Pat) and Ron (Nancy): 10 grandchildren, Chad, Bryan and Rusty Farris, Jessica and David Lee Duff, Pearl Neal, Toni O'Brien, Nicholas Thomas, Ryan Dietrich and Jenette Thomas; 4 great grandchildren, McKenzie O'Brien, Lennox Farris, Baylin Lord, Asia Sloan; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and "the love of his life" and caregiver, Terri Thomas.
He served in the Navy on the USS Juneau during the Korean War. He had been a Kosair Shriner, a Blue Lodge Mason, Honorable Admiral, Kentucky Colonel and had belonged to the Scottish Rite. He retired from Johns-Manville Corp., Nashua Corp. and his small businesses, Southern Impac Sales and Tape and Packaging Enterprises. He was a professional boxer in younger years and won the 1948 Golden Glove Award. He ran for the State Senate in the 1970's. He loved to hunt, fish, golf and cook.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Good Samaritan Center and Suburban Hospital West for care provided during the last months and days of his life. His remains will be cremated and a private service will be held for the family. Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.
Contributions may be made in his memory to Alzheimer's Association, Kosair Hospital, The Veterans Hospital or the Humane Society.