Mr. Tony Thomas, Sr., age 78, of Akron, OH, a former native of Jefferson, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2010. He had been a resident at the University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center over the past year.

Mr. Thomas attended public schools in Demopolis, AL and graduated from U.S. Jones High School in 1955. He spent almost two years in the U.S. Army before moving to Akron. He retired from Babcock and Wilcox Company after 30 years as a Quality Control Supervisor. He was a member of the Wooster Avenue Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reese and Flossie Finch Thomas of Jefferson, AL; two sons, Tederall Bailey and Anthony Bailey; two brothers, Reese Thomas, Jr. and Simmie Thomas; nephew, Kerwin L. Sheppard of Birmingham, AL.

Survivors include his son, Tony (Michele) Thomas, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, OH; daughter, Sharon (Golden) Bertram of Huntsville, AL; sisters, Ruth Thomas and Blondee Thomas both of Tuscaloosa, AL, Lauretta Thomas of San Diego, CA, and Luvandy Thomas Sheppard of Birmingham, AL; brothers, Elmore Thomas of Long Beach, CA, and Ray (Velma) Thomas of Yuba City, CA.; grandchildren, Tony Thomas III, Chandler Thomas, Tyler Thomas, Jeremy Graham, Talia Wells, Jessica Bertram, and Chandra Bailey; nieces, Patricia (George) Glover of Tuscaloosa, AL, Carmen Sheppard of Jacksonville, FL, Traci Thomas Smith of Los Angeles, CA, Isis Thomas of San Diego, CA, Veldemetric Thomas (Bryan) Lopez, and Katina Thomas of Yuba City, CA; nephew, Laurence Thomas Colen of San Diego, CA; a devoted friend, Phyllis Shamberger, and a host of great-grandchildren, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home, 529 W. Thornton St., Akron, OH 44307, Bro. Gregory Dortch, officiating. Interment at Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 2:30 p.m. until time of service. Procession will form at 265 Kelly Ave., Akron, OH 44306 and condolences may be sent to Tony Thomas, Jr. at 644 Vedette Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.