Vincent "Vince" M. Thomas

Vincent Monroe Thomas departed this life on December 23, 2012 at his home in Odenton, Maryland. He was born March 19, 1940 in Hurlock, Maryland. He was the seventh and last child born to the late Charles Wesley and Maria Thomas. At the time of his passing he was 72 years of age.

He received his early education in the public schools of Hurlock, Maryland and completed his studies in 1958 at Maces Lane High School. On October 6, 1962 he married Mildred Olivia Murray and from the union two daughters were born. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He also gave his love and unwavering support to his family. He was the entire family's motivator and mentor, as well as, the family spokesman. He gave of himself unselfishly and without hesitation and was a man of his word.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 19, 1960 and retired on
June 30, 1984. He served in three tours in Vietnam. He was among the most outstanding soldiers of his era, earning many decorations to include three Bronze Stars and retiring as one of the great "First Sergeants" of the U.S. Army. He and the family traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad during his military career.

Vincent entered his second government career with the U.S. Postal Service in Baltimore, Maryland as a Mail Handler from November 22, 1986 until his retirement on March 22, 2002.

He was an indispensable member, tireless volunteer and organizer to many organizations and clubs such as, the Triple Nickel - 555th Parachute Infantry, The Retired Enlisted Association, The Fellas, Cedar Meadows Rod and Gun Club, West County Democratic Club, Ravens Roost 35, African American Patriots Consortium, and the Wooden Nickel, just to name a few.

His parents, a brother William Thomas, two sisters Virginia Cooper and Annie Murray along with her husband George Murray, his father-in-law Floyd Murray and a sister-in-law Mary Rachel Thomas, preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 50 years, Mildred Thomas, Odenton, Maryland, two daughters, Vanessa Stevens (Robert), Glen Burnie, Maryland and Latonya Thomas-Gadson, Odenton, Maryland; two granddaughters Nikkie Stevens and Olivia Gadson; a brother Henry Thomas; two sisters Vietta Allen and Velma Gibbs, all of Hurlock, Maryland; a sister-in-law Ann Thomas, Federalsburg, MD; his mother in-law Mildred Murray, of Petersburg, Maryland, four sister-in-laws, Dorothy Mae Autrey (Marzelle), Hurlock, Maryland, Lauretta Thomas (Thurman), Baltimore, Maryland, Rosalind Jones (Emerson), Petersburg, Maryland and Floydette Gibson (Kevin), Los Angeles, California; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.