THOMAS (Ret., USAF), Col Edward, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 in Beavercreek, Ohio at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his dearly beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth Reynolds Thomas on April 2, 1992. He is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Elizabeth Thomas, (Major, USAF), three sons, Raymond Fredrick Thomas (Stacy), Michael Edward Thomas (Stephani), and Warren Sales (Terry), fourteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a very dear friend, Nancy Siler. Mr. Thomas was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he attended local schools. He graduated from Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, with a degree in Electrical Engineering and later received his MBA from the University of Dayton. Mr. Thomas accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age (Emanuel Baptist Church, Chattanooga, TN). Over the years, he was active in various religious activities such as establishing the Men’s Ministry Program at “New Season Ministry,” Fairborn, Ohio, a regular participant in the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) Program at Patterson Park Church of Beavercreek, and most recently served as an Ordained Deacon at Zion Baptist Church, Xenia, Ohio.

Mr. Thomas was a member of Edward Dugger Jr. Military Lodge # 123, of Xenia, Ohio (Past Master), Ruth Chapter, OES (Past Patron), Royal Arch Masons (Past Excellent High Priest), Knights Templar, PHA (Past Eminent Commander), The A. E. A. O. N. M. Shrine, PHA (Past Potentate), and The United Supreme Council (33rd Degree Mason). He entered the United States Air Force in 1958 and retired at the rank of Colonel with 30 years of active duty service. He received, among other awards, “The Distinguished Flying Cross” for services rendered while serving a tour of duty in South East Asia during 1968. After military retirement, he managed the Dayton office of a major engineering firm (Calspan Corporation, Home Office, Buffalo, N.Y.) for 10 years, after which he completed a second retirement. During the past few years, he has been active in the following organizations: Life Member, Dayton Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P; a Fifty (50) Year Life Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, having served as Polemarch (President), of the Centerville and Dayton Alumni Chapters.

He also served as Commander, VFW Post 3808, Dayton, Ohio, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, for the Daymont-West Community Center, Dayton, Ohio. All Home-going services will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at Zion Baptist Church, 565 East Main Street, Xenia, Ohio 45385.

Friends may call between 9:00 am and 11:45 am. Funeral services begin at 12:00 pm. Pastor Gary G. Chapman will officiate. Internment will follow at Dayton National Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton and Wilberforce Alumni Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity will serve as Pallbearers. (No Masonic or Fraternal Services requested).