1906
Ward
2008
Ward Thomas
January 24, 1906 — December 7, 2008
Ward Thomas, 102
Thomas, Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Ward Thomas, 102-year-old life-long resident of Paducah, passed away Dec. 7, 2008, at 6:05 a.m. Mr. Thomas would have celebrated his 103rd birthday on Jan. 24.
One of Paducah's oldest residents, Mr. Thomas was recognized numerous times by the media in recent years, including on his 100th birthday, and for likely being the oldest living Eagle Scout in America, an honor bestowed on him in 1918 at age 12.
Mr. Thomas was a graduate of Augusta Tilghman High School when he was 16 years old and attended the University of Kentucky and served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of First Baptist Church.
In 1940, he started Economy Appliance where he sold the first automatic washer in Paducah. This company later became Thomas Furniture. He and his friend, the late Dick Fairhurst, started the first Junior Chamber of Commerce in Paducah in the late 1920s. They served as the Chamber's first presidents.
"I thank the Lord for my good health and sense of humor. My motto is if you have those two things, you're a millionaire, whether you have a million or not," Mr. Thomas told his friends and family many times.
Mr. Thomas is survived by his son, Tommy Thomas of Paducah; two daughters, Roxie Jarvis of Paducah and Patsy Albritton, of Memphis, Tenn.; son-in-laws Larry Jarvis and Dr. John Albritton; four grandchildren, June Baber and husband Rodney, and John Thomas Albritton, both of Memphis, Tenn., and Ward Jarvis of Warner Robbins, Ga., and Reed Jarvis and wife Lora of Murray; and two great-grandchildren, Derrick and Patrick Baber of Memphis.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ruth; his parents, Roxie and Tommy Oscar Thomas, and three brothers, Hugh Warren, Russell and Paul Thomas. He was born in Mt. Olive, Miss., in 1906.
Funeral services for Ward Thomas will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Dr. Todd Brady officiating and burial to follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah from 4-7 p.m.
Pallbearers for Mr. Thomas include John Thomas Albritton, Reed Jarvis, Ward Jarvis, Bobby Kersey, Wayne Ramey, Louis Michelson, Vic Speck, Rodney Baber, Allen Behbehani and Frank Schuler. Mr. Thomas' coffee club, which he attended regularly for over 50 years until a few weeks ago, will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the First Baptist Church, 2890 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001; or the charity of your choice in his honor. You may light a candle or leave a message at milnerandorr.com
Thomas, Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Ward Thomas, 102-year-old life-long resident of Paducah, passed away Dec. 7, 2008, at 6:05 a.m. Mr. Thomas would have celebrated his 103rd birthday on Jan. 24.
One of Paducah's oldest residents, Mr. Thomas was recognized numerous times by the media in recent years, including on his 100th birthday, and for likely being the oldest living Eagle Scout in America, an honor bestowed on him in 1918 at age 12.
Mr. Thomas was a graduate of Augusta Tilghman High School when he was 16 years old and attended the University of Kentucky and served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of First Baptist Church.
In 1940, he started Economy Appliance where he sold the first automatic washer in Paducah. This company later became Thomas Furniture. He and his friend, the late Dick Fairhurst, started the first Junior Chamber of Commerce in Paducah in the late 1920s. They served as the Chamber's first presidents.
"I thank the Lord for my good health and sense of humor. My motto is if you have those two things, you're a millionaire, whether you have a million or not," Mr. Thomas told his friends and family many times.
Mr. Thomas is survived by his son, Tommy Thomas of Paducah; two daughters, Roxie Jarvis of Paducah and Patsy Albritton, of Memphis, Tenn.; son-in-laws Larry Jarvis and Dr. John Albritton; four grandchildren, June Baber and husband Rodney, and John Thomas Albritton, both of Memphis, Tenn., and Ward Jarvis of Warner Robbins, Ga., and Reed Jarvis and wife Lora of Murray; and two great-grandchildren, Derrick and Patrick Baber of Memphis.
Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ruth; his parents, Roxie and Tommy Oscar Thomas, and three brothers, Hugh Warren, Russell and Paul Thomas. He was born in Mt. Olive, Miss., in 1906.
Funeral services for Ward Thomas will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Dr. Todd Brady officiating and burial to follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah from 4-7 p.m.
Pallbearers for Mr. Thomas include John Thomas Albritton, Reed Jarvis, Ward Jarvis, Bobby Kersey, Wayne Ramey, Louis Michelson, Vic Speck, Rodney Baber, Allen Behbehani and Frank Schuler. Mr. Thomas' coffee club, which he attended regularly for over 50 years until a few weeks ago, will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the First Baptist Church, 2890 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001; or the charity of your choice in his honor. You may light a candle or leave a message at milnerandorr.com
To order memorial trees in memory of Ward Thomas, please visit our tree store.
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