James Thomas
James Earl “Leroy” Thomas, Sr., 78, of Dayton, died early Wednesday morning, November 7, 2018, at his home.
He was born on Nov. 11, 1939, in Chattanooga. Leroy was preceded in death by his 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 on Thursday, at 1 p.m. with Reverend 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 on Wednesday after 5 p.m.