Gerald Francis Thomas

Gerald F. Thomas, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars and longtime resident of Smith Mountain Lake, passed away on November 25, 2022 surrounded by his family.  Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Alice Maxine Thomas and two daughters, Geraldine Conklin and Randalyn Harris.  He was preceded in death by his son, Gary Wayne Poteat Thomas.

Gerald was born in 1930 to Dana and Ruby Thomas. He attended Clifton Forge High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. As a young soldier, he served two tours of duty in the Korean War. During his first tour, he was seriously injured in combat.

In 1953, Gerald met and married the love of his life, Alice Maxine Thomas. Together, they served 22 years in the US Army, rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer III.  During his tenure in the Army, Gerald graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and served as a scout master and assistant district commissioner in the Boy Scouts of America.

After the Army, Gerald and his family moved to Roanoke Virginia where he owned Tesco TV shop and worked delivering the US mail.  In 1980, he retired to his beloved home at Smith Mountain Lake where he was a member of the Rocky Mount Red Cross and an elder at Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church.

Gerald Thomas will receive a military funeral with honors.  His ashes will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.