James Richard Thomas

James Richard Thomas, Sr., 90, of Florence, SC, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015. Mr. Thomas was born in Olanta, SC, a son of the late Francis Clyde Thomas and Frances Emma Chandler.He was a veteran of the US Navy Air Corp and served during World War II.Mr. Thomas was the owner and operator of Thomas Steel Erection.He was a member of the Gideons and Commander of the Effingham Legion Post 160 for a number of years.Mr. Thomas was a member, former deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Free Will Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Ella Mae Smith Thomas; son, James R. (Vanessa) Thomas, Jr. of New Bern, NC; daughter, Karen T. (Jim) Kelly of Florence; grandchildren, Jimmy (Christine) Thomas, Russell Thomas, Kirk Thomas, Jeremy Thomas, Max Thomas, Abigail (Miles) Sparks, Anna (Timmy) Conner, David (Ginny) Bazen and John Bazen; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Chandler and Brandon Thomas; Carolyn Conner, James Dallas Conner, Anna Kate Bazen and Ella Bazen; and sister, Mary Frances (Pete) Denton of Columbia, SC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Billy Thomas. Memorials may be made to Regency Hospice, 960 Suite K Pamplico Highway, Florence, SC29505. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at First Free Will Baptist Church, 2624 West Palmetto Street, Florence, SC.Burial will follow at Thomas Cemetery in Olanta directed by Stoudenmire-DowlingFuneral Home. Family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Please sign the tribute wall for Mr. Thomas at the obituary section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.