Visitation for Arthur David Thomas, 84, of Vinemont will be at Cullman Funeral Home from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 with funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 at Vinemont Christian Church; graveside service to follow at Mt Zion Cemetery.
Mr. Thomas passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019 at his residence.
David was born in Lake Butler, FL Dec. 7, 1935. He was the son of Ira Thomas and Lizzie Pearce Thomas. David was a hard worker all his life.
He started work as a teenager at a gas station and at a grocery store. He graduated from Union County High School where he received the “Friendliest” award. He also received letters in football as well as basketball. His work continued through his life as he was a paperman, a prison guard, and an usher in a movie theater. He then joined the Army where he was stationed in Hawaii. While in Hawaii, he preached at a local church. When he got out of the Army, he joined the Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, FL. He was a member of the U.S. Navy Band where he played baritone. While he was in the Navy, he met and married Minnie Jo Blankenship Thomas Dec. 2, 1960. They moved to Jo’s home in Vinemont, AL in 1963. Since living in Alabama, he has had multiple jobs, as an insurance adjuster, clerk/typist at National Screws and he worked at Cullman Lingerie.
He was a bus driver as well as the station head at the bus barn for Vinemont Schools. David has been in the preaching ministry most of his life. He attended Kentucky Christian College, and has ministered to churches in Kentucky, Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee, and three churches in Alabama. He started two churches. He was at Vinemont Christian Church for over 30 years and came back to minister with them as his last preaching position. He retired from Vinemont in October 2016 and became an elder. The past few years, he has supply preached where needed. During his ministry, he served on two boards, Mid-South Christian College and Alabama Christian Service Camp. David was in the ministry for 62 years.
David was an avid Florida Gator fan (though Nathan tried to change him over to an Alabama Crimson Tide fan with no success.) He was a Dallas Cowboys and LA Dodgers fan. He enjoyed music and a little fishing when he could. He was humongous fan of Captain D’s.
David is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jake, Earl, Wilbur, and Sheldon Thomas; and sisters Myrtle Trowell and Myrtice Raulerson.
David is survived by wife Jo Thomas; children Arthur David Thomas, Jr., Ronald Sheldon Thomas, Sherree Lynn Sellers and Nathan Ray Thomas (Linda); and grandchildren Katrina Collier Horton, Nathaniel David Thomas, Joshua Ray Thomas, Marc Thomas and Justin Nunnelley.
Those officiating will be Nathan Thomas, Tom Thomas, Nat Thomas and Curtis Smith.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vinemont Christian Church.
