Tony Thomas, Sr. 78, of Akron, Ohio and native of Jefferson, Ala. went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 1. He had been a resident at the University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center over the past year.

He attended public schools in Demopolis 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, two sons, Tederall Bailey and Anthony Bailey, two brothers, Reese Thomas Jr. and Simmie Thomas, nephew, Kerwin L. Sheppard of Birmingham.

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

Services were held Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. at Stewart and Calhoun Funeral HOme, 529 W. Thornton St., Akron, Ohio 44307, Bro. Gregory Dortch officiating. Interment at Ohio Wester Reserve Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Tony Thomas, Jr. at 644 Vedette Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.