Vernon A. Thomas

Vernon Allen Thomas Sr., son and only child of the late William A. Thomas from Alabama and Carrie B. Cain was born on July 21, 1930 in Dover, Ohio. His attitude towards caring and sharing comes from his family owning a restaurant and helping others migrate from the South by giving them work until they got firmly established. He also proved to be a man who loved his music, his family, and his God.

He loved music. He attended public schools in Ohio and upon receiving a musical scholarship attended Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida. He entered the United States Army on 15 February 1951, and after a highly competitive audition became a member of the internationally acclaimed US Army Field Band. The United States Army Field Band is considered by music critics as one of the most versatile and inspiring musical organizations in the world. As a member of this premier organization he toured extensively performing for music enthusiast throughout the nation, Europe and the Far East.

Vernon's family and friends remember his extensive collection of jazz, his practicing musical scales and reading musical scores for countless hours with his beloved trombone, and his playing professionally in private bands to augment his income.

He dearly loved his wife and family. On 6 December 1952 he married Lottie M. Jones of Warren County, North Carolina and from this union came three children: Vernon A. Jr., Michael Bernard and Carrie Linda. Never without a job, he more than amply provided a home, food, clothes, the discipline his young boys in their youth needed, and fatherly guidance for his daughter.

On 16 May 1972 he retired from the Army at Fort George G. Meade. He then started a second career as a National Service Officer for the American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam from which he also retired. He made his home in Odenton, Maryland where he resided for over 30 years and where his adult children could come and spend time as a family oftentimes with "Pop's" grandchildren in tow. In more recent years, due to failing health, he resided at North Arundel Health & Rehabilitation Center, where his wife of over 60 years faithfully visited and cared for him.

He deeply loved Jehovah God. Vernon and his wife began an intensive study of the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses in 1973. Based on what he learned, his heart moved him to symbolize his dedication to God by water immersion on 10 February 1974. This reflected a deep love for God as he willingly made many changes in his life in order to please his heavenly Father and thus qualify for baptism as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Even during his grievous sickness he never stopped informally telling others about Jehovah or leaving Bible based literature with others.

Vernon leaves to mourn his loving and dedicated wife of 62 years, Lottie; children: Vernon, Bernard and Linda; daughters-in-love: Loretta and Barbara; two grandchildren: Nicholas "Nick" (Jennyfer) and Abigail "Abby"; three great granddaughters: Natalee Morgan, Elise Celine and Samara Mae. A host of cousins, sisters-in-laws: Hattie Smith, Rosa Keys, Annie Gray and Sallie Keys. He is remembered by a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, just too many to mention by name.

Vernon was dearly loved by his family and touched the lives of many. He was one never to "sugar coat" anything but he mellowed as the years rolled by. "I love you" or "I am proud of you," he would say. He "knew no strangers" and would give you the shirt off his back while feeding you and laughing and talking with you at the same time. Especially touching was his strong faith in the resurrection hope based on Jesus ransom sacrifice with the hope of one day being united together again as a healthy and happy family. Acts 24:15.

We look forward to the near future when during the resurrection, Jesus will say to his friend, "[Vernon] come on out!"a"