Funeral service will be at 4:00 PM today at Crestwood Chapel for David Boyd Thomas, age 76, of Rainbow City who died Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Rev. Sherri Reynolds will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home will direct services.
David was the son of Brice and Doris Thomas. He owned and operated Brice Thomas Radiator with his father, Brice, and brother, Lyverel. After he retired from Brice Thomas in 1991, he enjoyed traveling, golfing, boating, and spending leisure time at his cabin in Gulf Shores. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and watching Alabama football. He was a member of the Gadsden Masonic Lodge #236 and a past member of Zamora Shrine Temple.
David also retired from the Alabama Air National Guard where he served for 42 years. He was part of the medical unit attached to the 117th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham, AL and he achieved the rank of Senior Master Sgt. During his military career, he accepted active duty assignments in Norway, Italy, France, Germany, England, and Egypt. He also served as relief personnel at Eglin Air Force Base during Operation Desert Storm.
David was faithful member of Christ Central United Methodist Church and believer in Jesus Christ.
He was a soft spoken man with a big heart who loved to tell a funny joke.
He is survived by his loving and faithful wife Linda Brock Thomas; his three daughters Terry (Eric) Johns, Laura (Jerry) Guyton, and Ellen (Phillip) Cochran; two stepdaughters Lisa (Tony) Hudson and Kristi (Billy) Simpson; grandchildren Christy Johns, Michael (Katie) Johns, Cara Williams, Katie (Ryan) Franks, Emily Johns, Erica Johns, Melissa Cochran, Alex Cochran, Brock Hudson, and Jarrett Simpson; great grandchildren Sadie Waldrop, Malakai and Makenzie Johnson, and Myla Williams.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Central United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers will be Eric Johns, Jerry Guyton, Phillip Cochran, Tony Hudson, Billy Simpson, and Alex Cochran.
Honorary pallbearers are Ryan Franks, Gary Brown, Don Owen, Nathan Martin, Marvin Rhodes, Alvin Rhodes, and Jonathan Martin.
The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Castillo and the staff at Gadsden Regional Cancer Treatment Center; Riverview Regional Medical Center Emergency Room Staff; and the employees of the 5th floor and CCU; and his loving and caring sitters Tootsie, Jessica, Christy, Jackie, and Georgia. The family would also like to thank all the loving friends and family for their prayers and support.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 2pm until the hour of service.