Charles A. Thomas

Charles A. Thomas, 89, of Bidwell went to be with our Lord on Saturday October 4, 2008 at the Four Winds Community in Jackson, Ohio. He was born on May 6, 1919 in Republic, WV to Stuart E. and Addie Stover Thomas. Charley was a retired coal miner having worked for twenty-five years for three coal companies in Kayford, WV retiring after having a mine accident. Prior to working for the coal companies he worked for five years at Pure Oil in Dawes, WV. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran serving with the First Armored Division in North Africa from the invasion in Italy until to the surrender. He was a tank commander in the beginning and was promoted to Technical Sergeant of the Communications of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Armored Regiment of the 1st Armored Division after the First Chief Sergeant was killed in combat. He served over seas in foreign services from 1942-1945. Charley attended the Rodney United Methodist Church where he was an avid softball fan, and he loved gardening, fishing and hunting. He married Imogene Taylor Thomas on November 26, 1968 in Charleston, WV and she preceded him in death on July 5, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James and John Thomas; a sister Laura Durbin; a grandson Brad Cornelius, and a great granddaughter Sydney Elizabeth Wyatt. Charley is survived by three daughters, Cheryl Cornelius of Thonotosassa, Fl., Carol Sue Shine of Palm Bay, Fl., and Linda Guillermo Barbosa of Warsaw, IN; one step daughter Eileen Glen Hammons of Bidwell, and one step son Joe Blanche Taylor of Cabin Creek, WV; grandsons, Brock Cornelius and Mark Wyatt; adopted grandsons Javier and Juan Barbosa; step grandsons David Hammons, Michael Hammons, Steve Taylor, Matthew Taylor, and Dennis Barbosa; step granddaughters Cheryl McAvena, Charlene Hemphill, Jo Ann Coots, and Jessica Barbosa; seven step great grandsons and eight step great granddaughters; one brother Carlos Erma Thomas of Antioch, OH. A host of special friends survive at the Four Winds Community in Jackson. Funeral services will be 1 pm Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at Willis Funeral Home, with Rev. Arland King and Dan Lamphier officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Hope Mausoleum at the Ohio Valley Memory Gardens. Friends may call on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the services. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2008-10-08 Ohio Valley Memory Gardens Gallipolis OH US Visitation: 2008-10-08 11:00:00-13:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Service: 2008-10-08 13:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US