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Jenny Quinn
My heart goes out to the family and friends of the kindest man I ever knew. We lived next door to Papa for 27 years. We jones in on a January 1st. The first mother's day I lived there Mr Thomas came over and said "I made something for you". It was a wooden pole to hold up my clothes line. He said my name is Jim, but you can call me Papa. I will never forget that day. My son and I were raising my daughter's two boys and Papa was there for every birthday and Christmas. He told me once that he loved him like his own. The last time I saw him was a couple weeks ago, and he asked about the boys like he always did. I will miss seeing him sit outside on his chair, but close to the chair is his American flag...blowing in the breeze...for our country he loved so much. My physical aliments prevented my from attending the funeral, but I am there in spirit. We all loved that man so much and I can't wait to see him again when I go Home.
Bill Hughes
God Bless him and prayers for his family!
Susan Rodriguez
Mr. Jim was amazing man and I just loved seeing him. Always with a smile and lots of memories at the First Presbyterian. Prayers for the Family and Friends. Love Susan Rodriguez
Charlie Stanford
He was my father's uncle on the maternal side. In 2012 I took a family history vacation for a little over a week and spent nearly half of it with Uncle Jim. He was a wealth of knowledge about the family and community history. He loved talking about his experiences. I've cherished the voice recordings from those interviews and now that he is gone to be with the Lord, I will cherish them even more. To know Uncle Jim was to admire, respect, and love him. I have looked forward to his Christmas cards and will certainly miss them from now on. My heart goes out to his children.
Hope Lee
Beth, Brenda, & Linda...... Sending you all my love and giving such gratitude for your dad. He meant the world to me and I will never forget the day that he showed up in Bradenton to see me preach. His Christmas cards were something that our family looked forward to for over 20 years. Glory got a great man this week and through the grace of God, we'll get to see him again for all of eternity. Lifting each of you before the Lord in these precious days.
Genie Duggan
Mr. Thomas was a sweet smart man. A true jewel of the community. I’m sure everyone who knew him feels a pang for sorrow at his passing. Condolences to his family.
Nick Isabella
Enjoyed alot of great talks with the man A true inspiration
Jerrie Moore
Prayers for all family as you will do miss this sweet man. What a life well lived!
James "Jim" M. Thomas
2023-01-07
Mr. James “Jim” M. Thomas, 101, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 at his home in Fernandina Beach.
He was born in Yulee and was a son of the late David M. and Chal Treatie May Thomas. His father passed away when he was 15 years old. He attended school in Yulee and would eventually earn his GED after joining the U. S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Thomas joined the U. S. Marine Corps when he was 17 years old before the beginning of World War II. He served in China are part of a regiment assigned to protect American interests and citizens from the Japanese prior to World War II. He served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Mr. Thomas was honorably discharged at the rank of Tech Sergeant with over 14 years' service.
Mr. Thomas returned home to Nassau County and quickly became an integral part of the community. Through the years he served Nassau County in a variety of ways. He worked for the School Board as Maintenance Supervisor, and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office as a Juvenile Officer. He also worked for Rayonier for a short period of time and owned and operated Thomas Plumbing Company. Mr. Thomas also served his community in public offices including the Nassau County Commission and the Nassau County School Board. Until his retirement at age 85, he owned and operated Thomas Building and Maintenance Company, a general contracting firm.
He was a member of several organizations including the Marine Corps League. Mr. Thomas was a former member of United Methodist Church of Callahan and taught Sunday School there. He became a member of First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach. He as an active member of First Presbyterian as long as his health allowed. He taught Sunday School there and was a Elder and Deacon.
In addition to his parents and all of his siblings, Mr. Thomas was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Ann Thomas, a son, Phillip Terry Thomas and a son- in-law, Fred Armstrong.
He leaves behind his three daughters, Linda Armstrong, Brenda Wall and her husband, James, and Beth McDonald and her husband, Larry, all of Fernandina Beach as well as a daughter in law, Alicia Thomas of Glen St. Mary; 17 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 18 great great-grandchildren and a large extended family.
The family will receive friends at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 12, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach beginning at 11:00 AM.
He will be laid to rest, with military honors, next to his wife at Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Rather than flowers, the family asks donations be made, in his memory to First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach.
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