Richard "Rick" Harold Thomas passed away on January 17, 2022, from complications related to his long-fought battle with cancer.
Rick was born in Marietta, Ga. In his 20s, he worked for Chattanooga Cable Company and was responsible for laying the initial cable infrastructure throughout Chattanooga, much of which is still used today. Rick then moved to Hope, Ar., where he was the operating manager of Bruner-Ivory Handle Company, a subsidiary of the OP Link Handle Co, for 18 years. In 2000, Rick and his family moved back to the Chattanooga area, where he was a vice president of Sequatchie Valley Handle Works from 2000 until he retired in 2004.
In his spare time, Rick was a gifted craftsman. He loved anything mechanical or related to wood-working and built beautiful furniture and custom cabinetry. After retirement, he built a custom house on Elder Mountain and began building classical guitars.
Rick is survived by his wife, Margee Thomas, his two children, Shelley Thomas and Harold Thomas and his two sisters, Annette Walters and Becky Gross.
Rick was preceded in death by his sister, Carole Smith.
At Rick's request, no formal service will be held. The family plans to hold a celebration of life for Rick on the mountain in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations in his name to The Songbirds Foundation, a non-profit corporation in Chattanooga, dedicated to providing the gift of music and guitar to students in Southeast Tennessee.