John Madison Thomas, Jr.

John Madison Thomas, Jr died peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2018, following a lovely Christmas at home surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Glenice K Thomas after an almost 70-year love affair; daughter Jan Cheves, and son John M Thomas III (Julie), daughter-in-law Linda Thomas and son-in-law Jeff Baker. He is also survived by brother Jack Thomas (Barbara) and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He enjoyed a close relationship with his nine grandchildren, Chip Thomas (Ann Marie), Lee Thomas, Carter Cheves III, Emily Cheves, Hallie Best (Thomas), Sarah Thomas, Samantha Crotts (Matt), Rachel Thomas, Katie Baker and six great-grandchildren, Cameron Thomas, Christina Thomas, Harper Best, Conner Thomas, Emmy Best and Landon Crotts. He was preceded in death by sons Roger Thomas and Gerald Thomas, daughter Mikki Baker, daughter-in-law Sandra Thomas and son-in-law Carter Cheves.

John was born in Calhoun, Georgia to John Madison Thomas Sr and Willie Smith Thomas, where he spent his youth growing and delighting in the love of many siblings and a large extended family in the rural surrounding area, with whom he has maintained close relationships. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School, and later attended Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

After meeting and marrying the love of his life in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, he joined Roses Department Stores in 1953 in a retail and management career that took his family from Georgia to Virginia to North Carolina, where they finally settled in Morganton for the remainder of his life. His 50-year career involved moving up the ranks of management and receiving many accolades. He was a store manager for 20 years, and a district manager for 30 years. He was Senior Assistant of the Year, several times Manager of the Year and, District Manager of the Year.

Morganton was the place he always considered home, and it was a life filled with friends and social activities that brought him and Glenice much joy. He was a proud 55-year member of the Morganton Masonic Lodge, a member of the Shriners, a 50-year member of the Eastern Star and member of the Morganton Moose Lodge. John and his wife are members of Catawba Valley Baptist Church.

A funeral service, including Masonic rites, will be held at Sossoman Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 2 at 5:00 p.m. Family will receive friends immediately following the service.

The family would like to thank John’s personal physician, Dr. Jamie Young, his very special nurse Jon Smith, and all of the staff at Burke Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Burke Hospice or Catawba Valley Baptist Church Building Fund.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.