John M. Thomas

Chapter 1. His life began on Saturday, June 30, 1927. Johnny was born to the late Eva Thomas in Brodnax, VA. He was the eldest of four children who all proceeded him in death-Frank Thomas, Mable Thomas and Sandra Williams. At an early age, Johnny moved to Philadelphia, PA where he started his education and pursued a career in professional boxing. In his teenage years, he moved to Maryland where he attended the Baltimore City Public Schools.Chapter 2. As a young man Johnny worked many odd jobs. In 1950, Johnny was called to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. After serving his country until 1953, and while awaiting an honorable discharge, he became an active member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F & A. M. of Oklahoma.In 1964, he began a career at Bethlehem Steel where he worked until his retirement in 1993.Chapter 3. The year 1980 was the year that changed it all. After rekindling a friendship that he lost in 1975, Johnny had now found his lover, friend and Princess, Lillie Thornton. Not long after, his Princess became his Queen on June 28, 1997.Johnny loved to entertain and travel. And if you didn't have anything planned it was okay, because you knew that Johnny was planning something for you. Super Bowl, 4th of July, Memorial or Labor Day barbecue, you knew it was on, with live jazz bands and card games and lots of fun. He was known for his swagger, cool daddy walk, music, and his favorite saying, “raised bread.”His favorite pastime was to sit around, with his favorite beverage nearby, and listen to his favorite music, jazz. He was well-liked in the neighborhood, especially by the kids who passed his door to and from school. They would always greet him with, “Hi Mr. Soldier!”Chapter 4. God called his son “Soldier Johnny” home on Thursday, December 3, 2009. He lived all 82 years of his life to the fullest. In this chapter of his life, he leaves to cherish his loving memory: his wife, Lillie Mae; son, Dr. David Thomas, and daughters, Michelle and Crystal Thornton, Tarshi (Steven) Harris. Though neither son nor daughters were his biological off-spring he was a Father to them all.Johnny also was blessed with grandchildren, Andre and Derek Thomas, Michael Dickens, Tikeya Johnson, Eric (Melanie) Harris, Gregory Nealy, Arthur Tisdale, Shaunte' and Shante' Harris, Bradley Bush and Nija Colyns; great-grandchildren, Kaira and Jaylen Thomas, Tyhiem Johnson, Eric Harris III, Caranita and Michael Dickens, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Adeline Sturdivant and Catherine Green; cousin Cissy Wise of Pennsylvania; nieces Debbie Banks of Brooklyn, NY, and Shelly Williams of Pittsburgh, PA; nephew Rodney Williams and a host of other relatives and friends.

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John M. Thomas

June 30, 1927 - December 3, 2009