ROCKY POINT — After a short illness, John Willard Thomas Jr., formerly of High Point, N.C., died Thursday evening, Oct. 26, 2017.
Mr. Thomas was born in 1927 and was the older son of the late J. Willard and Mavis Burchette Thomas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Tommie Munford; brother, Perley A. ‘Pat’ Thomas; sons, Chris (Teresa) and Stuart (Andrea); and granddaughter, Emma.
He is survived by his wife, Judith; sons, John III (Beth), Mat and Bruce (Cindy); 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; along with Judy’s children, Stan (Sharon), Bryan (Terry), Sara and Jason (Angie), who together have seven children that John also considered as grandchildren.
After high school, Mr. Thomas entered the U.S. Navy and was in training to be an aircraft mechanic when World War II ended. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1949 with a B.S. Degree in Manufacturing Engineering.
John’s life revolved around his beloved family, leadership and service. He began his career at Thomas Built Buses in High Point, N.C., as an engineer and then moved into sales as a regional sales manager and was subsequently selected to lead the company’s sales effort. When he was promoted to president and later to CEO/chairman, he continued the company’s growth to become the largest U.S. manufacturer of school buses. He retired from daily duties at the company in 1992.
Mr. Thomas held a considerable number of leadership positions both locally and nationally. He served both Forest Hills Presbyterian Church (High Point) and First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington as an elder. He very much loved and was committed to Boy Scouts, both locally and nationally, serving as a council president (Uwharrie) as well as on BSA’s national executive board. It was on the national level that he headed up Scouting’s High Adventure Camps and International Jamboree committees. He served as national commissioner, Scouting’s highest ranking volunteer. He received Scouting’s highest service award, the Silver Buffalo. However, his greatest pride was knowing he was father and grandfather to 11 Eagle Scouts.
He loved the outdoors and became involved in training and competing with his retriever dogs, again, locally and then, nationally. He was recognized for his success in and dedication to the sport by being elected to its Hall of Fame in Grand Junction, Tenn. Mr. Thomas became a board member and then president of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust, a further expression of his love of the outdoors and natural spaces.
He will be missed by his family and many friends. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington. Visitation with the family will be held immediately after the service in the church’s Gilmore Room.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 125 South 3rd St., Wilmington, NC 28401; Cape Fear Council – BSA, P.O. Box 7156, Wilmington, NC 28406; or North Carolina Coastal Land Trust, 131 Racine Drive, Suite 202, Wilmington, NC 28403, and would be very much appreciated.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
