Walter F. Thomas Jr.

Walter F. Thomas Jr., 89, of Fredericksburg, VA passed peacefully at home to be with Jesus on December 4, 2018.

Mr. Thomas was born January 12, 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Walter Sr. and Ruth Thomas. He went to work early in life by dropping out of school in order to help support his family due to his father falling ill. Walter's early jobs included pin setting in a bowling alley and golf caddying. He would then join the Marine Corps and while on leave in Fredericksburg from his duties at Quantico, he met his future wife Elizabeth. They would marry and begin a marriage that would last 69 years. Walter left the Marines and worked at the Fredericksburg shoe factory until it closed and they then moved back to Baltimore where he worked for Green Spring Dairy until he was recalled to the Marines during the Korean conflict. While training to deploy he contracted rheumatic fever which would lead to an honorable medical discharge and a return to his job at the Dairy. Walter would later relocate to Fredericksburg to begin a career at Farmers Creamery, where he worked until it closed. He then went to work as a civilian at Quantico Marine base. Walter worked there until he retired.  

Walter loved the Lord which inspired him to serve as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth worker and choir member at Zoan Baptist and later Mine Road Baptist church until failing health stopped him. Mine Road bestowed on him Deacon Emeritus status for his service. Walter found joy in his family and was a lifelong fan of the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. He loved bowling, gardening and family card games.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; daughter, Virginia McMilin; sons Steve Thomas and Ken Thomas; sisters Shirley Tartal and JoAnn Berry; brother Ken Thomas; grandchildren Michelle Dunlap, Bryan Traynham, Timothy Thomas and Olivia Thomas; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Walter was proceeded in death by his parents and his siblings Nelson Thomas, Ronald Thomas and Carolyn Thomas. 

Services will be held at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg on Monday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. followed by graveside services at Mine Road Baptist Church, 1111 Post Oak Rd, Spotsylvania. Family and friends will be greeted one hour before the service at the funeral home.