Don and Reba Thomas
Don Thomas, September 19, 1928 - September 17, 2022 and Reba Thomas, April 16, 1930 - November 16, 2020
Don Thomas died peacefully on September 17, 2022, with family at his side. His wife of 66 years, Reba Martin Thomas, preceded him in passing on November 16, 2020.
Don was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His family moved to Washington D.C. during the Great Depression, and then to St. Albans, West Virginia. Don graduated from VPI (Virginia Tech), where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Highty-Tighty regimental band.
Reba was born in Nitro, West Virginia, and raised both there and in the remote area of "Buzzard" in nearby Mason County. Her beginnings were humble, with her rural home having no electricity or running water. Through her upbringing came wonderful stories that were family favorites, from her outrunning a car the first time she saw one when she was ten years old, to fun rides in their horse-drawn wagon to the nearby town of Point Pleasant.
Don and Reba met at a dance class. Reba was attracted by Don's military dress uniform, and they married in 1954. They lived in St. Albans, West Virginia for twenty years, then briefly in California before moving to Chattanooga, where they resided since 1976.
Don began his career as a chemical engineer with Union Carbide in Charleston, WV, followed by the WV Department of Natural Resources, Stanford Research Institute in CA, and then retiring from TVA after 17 years. Don served in the United States Army Reserves, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He was a man of many interests and in his retirement he enjoyed traveling the world.
Reba was a hard worker making life-long friends at Sears Northgate, Ann Taylor, Coach and other retail sales positions until she was well into her seventies.
Both Don and Reba worked hard to provide a better life for their family, and supported their children and grandson in every possible way. Their kind support will never be forgotten.
Don was preceded in death by mother Marjorie Hill, father William R. Thomas, and step¬mother Jackie Vandine. Reba was preceded in death by parents Opal Jones and Thad Martin, sister Edrie Unrue, and brothers Eddie and Tom Martin.
Don and Reba are survived by their children, Susan Thomas Wulf and Bob Thomas; son-in-law Jim Wulf and daughter-in-law, Michelle Hernandez; grandson, Matthew Wulf, and
great-grandchildren, Alexis Wulf and Noah Wulf.
Chattanooga National Cemetery will be the final resting place for Don and Reba. Forever Together.