Gerald David Thomas
February 19, 1933 ~ January 12, 2015
Gerald David Thomas, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters on Monday, January 12, 2015 at Manor Care in Pinehurst.
Gerald was born in Moore County, the son of the late Alice Lee Smith and Joe C. Thomas. After graduating from Southern Pines High School in 1951, he went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a B.A. and M.A. in Education. He also attended Duke University for additional graduate coursework. He taught school in Raleigh and Winston Salem, before returning to the Sandhills in 1964 as an elementary school principal in the Fort Bragg School System where he worked until retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joe Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Betsy Thomas Robinson (John) of Durham, Laura Thomas Donnelly of Raleigh, Susan Thomas Canon (Mac) of Southern Pines and Alice Wilson Thomas of Southern Pines. He was lovingly known as Papa Thomas to eight grandchildren: Jonathan, Sarah, Evan, Keenan, Emma, Luke, Elizabeth and Thomas.
Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Health Hospice Foundation 150 Applecross Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28374; or Meals on Wheels of Moore County, 500 East Rhode Island Ave, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers who provided care and support for Gerald over the past two years.
Powell Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Thomas family.
Condolences: PinesFunerals.com
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I am so sorry to hear that Gerald has passed away. I always considered him a good friend. We worked together at Fort Bragg Schools and he was one of the colleagues who accompanied me on my first ever trip to the Outer Banks. The two of us and the late Har