| Notes |
- Son of Alexander and Virginia M. Thomas.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Chapels & Crematory, Rainelle, WV, 2 Jun 2013
https://www.wallaceandwallacefh.com/obituaries/Robert-E-Lee-Bob-Thomas
Robert E. Lee "Bob" Thomas, 86 of Rainelle, WV passed away Friday, May 31, 2013 at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center after a short illness. Bob, born in Meadow Bridge, WV, was one of nine children of the late A.T. Thomas and Virginia Mae Fitzwater Thomas. Beginning in his childhood, Bob had a creative entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to see foreign lands. As a young man, he lived in Baltimore, MD and joined the United States Merchant Marines. He traveled through the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, as well as the Cape of Good Hope and numerous other sea ports. Upon returning, he lived in Miami, FL as a professional tile setter. After leaving Miami, he went to Los Angeles, CA where he worked at MGM and Paramount Studios. The West Virginia mountains called him back home in the late 1950's and he became a business owner. Bob met and married the love of his life in 1959. From 1961-1974 Bob owned the much frequented American Cafe in Rainelle, during which time he also owned Thomas Shoe Store. In the early 1970's, Bob created a fiberglass bonding mix which he sold to mining companies to help hold up underground mine walls and ceilings. He also helped his brothers, Tim and John, launch Appalachian Root and Herb Co. which makes sales worldwide. In addition, Bob built several homes and apartments, and was always kind and fair to his tenants. In later years, he started a reclaimed American Chestnut lumber business, which has sold the extinct wood to businesses and individuals all over the United States, including the Ryman Auditorium, in Branson, MO. Bob had a deep reverence for his Creator and exemplified God's love through his kindness and generosity. He was an excellent provider, husband, and father. His family never doubted his unconditional love for them. Bob put the care of his family first in all of his endeavors. Two of his favorite pastimes were spending time with family and spending time outdoors, enjoying nature. He was truly an amazing man, adored by his family and loved by so many. He will be sorely missed on this earth. We hang on to the hope that we will meet again in the midst of God's glory. Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Monna Jeannette Thomas Fulton of White Sulphur Springs, an infant sister, Janice, his father A.T. Thomas, his mother, Virginia Mae Fitzwater Thomas, all of Meadow Bridge, three other sisters, Audrey Thomas, of Meadow Bridge, Katherine Oxley of Phoenix, AZ, and Christine Spano of Victorville, CA, two brothers, Tim Thomas of Bingham Mountain, and John Thomas of Rainelle. He is survived by his loving wife, Shelba Jean Hughart Thomas, of Rainelle, his son, Jeffery Thomas of Charleston, two daughters, Teresa Lee Thomas, and Katherine and husband Rodney Wallace of Princeton, 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, two sisters, Alice Shuler of Ansted, and Phyllis Keeling and husband, Bob of Tallmadge, OH, two very close nephews Rudy Thomas, of Portland, OR and Timmy Lee Thomas, of Rainelle, and numerous other nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Rainelle at 2:00pm on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 with the Reverend Bob Scharnhorst officiating. Burial will follow at the End of the Trail Cemetery in Clintonville. Friends may call on the family from 6-8:00pm on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the funeral home. Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at wallaceandwallacefh.com.
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1926 - 2013 (86 years)
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