John Thomas

John Simpson Thomas, Jr., age 87, passed away, surrounded by his family, Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Born in Blue Ridge,  June 21, 1934, he was the son of the late John Simpson “Simp” Thomas, Sr. and Novella Bennett Thomas.

John married the love of his life, June, September 26, 1952, and in 1962 he accepted Christ into his heart, which guided his life’s journey. A man of tremendous faith, he made it a point to be very active in church wherever the family moved. John was always one to sincerely care about everyone, taking time to speak with each person he worked with whenever he could. This trait is probably the most-remembered attribute for John.

A self-made man, John started from humble beginnings in the hills of North Georgia until his relocation to Atlanta, Georgia, at age 17, never shying away from hard work. He began his transportation career at Overnight Transportation Company in Atlanta as a rate and billing clerk. Quickly rising through the ranks, John became the youngest Terminal Manager with Overnight when he accepted a position with their Macon, Georgia, location.  From there, he and his family relocated to Lynchburg, Virginia, and ultimately accepted a promotion to Vice President of Operations with Overnight’s corporate office in Richmond.

In 1976 John accepted the position of Vice President of Operations for Kenan Transport in Chapel Hill, which was a regional chemical and petroleum transport corporation. Then, in 1984, he was offered a position with Eagle Transport in Rocky Mount as President, which he accepted and led the company until his retirement in 2001. John’s tenure at Eagle Transport was one of the most rewarding of his life, making lifelong friends as he helped build Eagle into a dynamic regional transport corporation.

John loved to work in the yard, planting flowers and keeping his home in tip-top shape. He had a tool for every job and was quick to help his neighbors work on their home needs too. John and his wife, June, loved and enjoyed their life together, traveling across America as well as abroad through Europe. Once, he even drove up Pike’s Peak like the racers do on TV with June hanging on for dear life!

A proud grandfather, John enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, Bryan and Erik whether it was on his boat cruising along the coast and various lakes or attending the numerous sporting events they each were involved in, a joy he would often boast about.  Then, with the birth of his great-grandsons, Brooks and Brody, he couldn’t have been more thrilled and grateful.

John is survived by his wife, June, and son and daughter-in-law Ron and Debbie Thomas, all of Rocky Mount; his grandsons, Bryan Thomas and wife, Kimberly, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and Erik Thomas and wife, Kelci, of Raleigh, North Carolina; his great-grandsons, Brooks and Brody Thomas; his sister, Shirley Panter of Blue Ridge; and his five nieces and nephews, all of Georgia.

A funeral service to celebrate John’s life will be held Sunday, May 22, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Pastor Luke Lunceford officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.

A Graveside Service, under the care of Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations will be held at Cooper Ridge Memorial Gardens in Blue Ridge,  Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services located at 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.