Joe P. Thomas

Mr. Joe P. Thomas, 82, passed away on Sunday December 23, 2012. A native of Birmingham, AL he was born on October 17, 1930 to Otha and Lynda Thomas. Mr. Thomas, an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict entering the battles as a Sgt. with the 45th Infantry Division., and served until 1958 as a parachute trooper achieving the rank of 1st Lt., in the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1971 Joe moved from Portland, Oregon to Atlanta where he met his wife, Jane J. (Poopsie) Thomas. On December 21, 2012 they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary together. In 1976 he formed and was the president of Thomas & Associates which later became J.P Thomas, Inc. until his retirement in 2001. He thrived on the adventure and challenges of being a manufacturer's agent, selling machinery for the wood products, paper and non-woven industries. He spent many hours making fine furniture in his shop and was an avid reader of westerns, the US military and especially American History. He became an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and was a member of the Order of the Arrow. Mr. Thomas was also a lifetime member of the NRA and loved to spend time outdoors hunting and fishing especially in Alaska and Kentucky. Jane and Joe both enjoyed the wonderful trips they took together. Joe never met a stranger and was always ready to tell a good story or offer a history lesson. During his battle with cancer, Joe often remarked, "Don't cry for me, I have done more, seen more, and been more places than most and have had more fun than anyone." In addition to his loving wife, Mr. Thomas is survived by his son, Joe Preston Thomas, Jr., the Philippines, daughters, Ernestine Thomas Fell (husband Mike) of Pasadena, TX., Lynda Thomas Cimera (husband Glenn) of The Woodlands, TX., Suzanne Snelling of Gumlog, Barbara J. Fatkin (husband J. Allen) of Warner Robins; grandchildren, Misty Seawright Trevino (husband John), Randy Wayne Seawright (wife Aimone), Marye Elizabeth Fell, Gregory Thomas Cimera, Amy Kathleen Cimera, Brian J. Fatkin (wife Megan) of Hampton, VA., Jane-Marie Fatkin of Edinburgh, Scotland, Suzie Fatkin Sloan (husband Casey) of Decatur, great grandsons Wyatt and Ethan Fatkin of Hampton, VA., and his favorite Maltese, Lacy. In lieu of flowers those desiring may send memorial gifts in his memory to Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts. Memorial services will be held in the chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons at 1:00 pm on Saturday January 12, 2013 with Rev. Bob Hauert officiating. Interment will follow in Decatur Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory.

Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033