Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 13, 1990                   TAG: 9006130553
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OBIT THOMAS, R.

Commander Richard S. Thomas, U.S. Navy Reserve Retired, died Tuesday evening in a Roanoke hospital. He served five years active duty in the Naval Air Command on both the east and west coasts during World War II, continuing his service in the Naval Air Reserve Training Command until retirement. He was lifetime member of the Retired Officers Association and a perpetual member of the Military Order of World Wars having served as its commander twice. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, American Legion Post 3, The Marine Corps League, the Navy League, the Naval Reserve Association, and held the office of president and secretary of the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council. Mr. Thomas received two engineering degrees from Tri-State University in Angola, Ind. after which he worked for Boeing. He received his master of education degree from the University of Virginia. He taught at both Jefferson and Andrew Lewis High Schools from which he received the Teacher of the Year awards. Mr. Thomas was a lifelong member of St. John's Espicopal Church and a member of the Salem Lions Club. He has been an ardent supporter of the Roanoke Valley War Memorial, being in charge of the Historic Flags display at Lee Plaza. Mr. Thomas was presented the Key to the City by Mayor Noel C. Taylor in recognition and appreciation for his services to the community on May 21, 1990, which day was proclaimed Commander Richard S. Thomas Day. He is survived by his wife, Thora Petersen Thomas; two sons, Richard Bruce Thomas and his wife, Sharon Roth Thomas, Columbus, Ohio; James Mantell Thomas, III and his wife, Martha Menzel Thomas, Grapevine, Texas; a daughter, Martha Thomas Bradley and her husband, William Ellery Bradley, Newport News, Va.; six grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at St. John's Episcopal Church 11:30 a.m. Thursday by the Right Rev. A. Heath Light, D.D., Bishop and the Rev. Elsa H. Hale. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church. Friends may call at the home from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday or at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.