Obituary for Melvin Frances Thomas
Thomas
Jacksonville - Melvin F. Thomas was born January 15th, 1936, in Choccolocco, Alabama, to James Robert and Dessie Lorena (née Henry) Thomas. He spent his youth in Edwardsville, Alabama, and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a teenager. After being stationed in Germany in the mid-1950s, he met and married Waltraud Katharina Münzenberger in 1956 and remained married until her death in 2016. Mr. Thomas had two beloved children: a son, Billy Joe, born in 1959; and a daughter, Lorena (Lori) Magdalena, born in 1979.
Mr. Thomas spent his life in pursuit of knowledge, and as a result he held many eclectic jobs over his eighty-four years. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he worked as a meat cutter, insurance salesman, and handyman near Atlanta, Georgia. In the early 1970s, he moved his family back to his native Cleburne County and worked in both the logging and transportation industries. Mr. Thomas enjoyed classic Country music and taught himself how to play a variety of musical instruments, including the guitar, steel guitar, and violin. He and his band, the Country Drifters, performed at various local establishments during the 1980s. During his later years, Mr. Thomas focused on more relaxed work, and he and his wife were regulars at area flea markets and trade days.
After the passing of his wife, Mr. Thomas lived in Jacksonville, Alabama, with his cherished sister, Hattie Lee (Pat) Hartle.
In addition to his sister and his children, Mr. Thomas is survived by his daughter-in-law, Mary Teague Thomas; a granddaughter, Kristen Thomas Dover and her husband, Brandon; and two great-granddaughters, Kaden and Briar Dover.
In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated. Due to Covid-19 concerns, and with respect to the health and well-being of those who would attend it, a memorial service will not be held at this time. Those wishing to express their sympathies are encouraged to donate in his name to one of these charities: The American Heart Association, Disabled American Veterans, and The Humane Society of the United States.
Mr. Thomas passed on May 20th, 2020, at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.
visit our website @ www.drydenfuneralhome.com
Jacksonville - Melvin F. Thomas was born January 15th, 1936, in Choccolocco, Alabama, to James Robert and Dessie Lorena (née Henry) Thomas. He spent his youth in Edwardsville, Alabama, and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a teenager. After being stationed in Germany in the mid-1950s, he met and married Waltraud Katharina Münzenberger in 1956 and remained married until her death in 2016. Mr. Thomas had two beloved children: a son, Billy Joe, born in 1959; and a daughter, Lorena (Lori) Magdalena, born in 1979.
Mr. Thomas spent his life in pursuit of knowledge, and as a result he held many eclectic jobs over his eighty-four years. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he worked as a meat cutter, insurance salesman, and handyman near Atlanta, Georgia. In the early 1970s, he moved his family back to his native Cleburne County and worked in both the logging and transportation industries. Mr. Thomas enjoyed classic Country music and taught himself how to play a variety of musical instruments, including the guitar, steel guitar, and violin. He and his band, the Country Drifters, performed at various local establishments during the 1980s. During his later years, Mr. Thomas focused on more relaxed work, and he and his wife were regulars at area flea markets and trade days.
After the passing of his wife, Mr. Thomas lived in Jacksonville, Alabama, with his cherished sister, Hattie Lee (Pat) Hartle.
In addition to his sister and his children, Mr. Thomas is survived by his daughter-in-law, Mary Teague Thomas; a granddaughter, Kristen Thomas Dover and her husband, Brandon; and two great-granddaughters, Kaden and Briar Dover.
In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated. Due to Covid-19 concerns, and with respect to the health and well-being of those who would attend it, a memorial service will not be held at this time. Those wishing to express their sympathies are encouraged to donate in his name to one of these charities: The American Heart Association, Disabled American Veterans, and The Humane Society of the United States.
Mr. Thomas passed on May 20th, 2020, at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.
visit our website @ www.drydenfuneralhome.com