James William Thomas

James William Thomas, Sr. (James, Jimmy, Pop, Papa) died on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. He was born on June 13, 1944 to loving parents John and Clara “The Queen” Thomas. He later became an adored big brother to Brenda and Carolyn (Albright). After graduating from George Washington High School in 1962, James married his high school sweetheart, Linda, in 1963 and went to work at Ace Paint and Body Shop. He later purchased the business and built an untarnished reputation for repairing and restoring automobiles for 61 years. He and Linda grew their family with the additions of daughter, Lisa (Jefferson), and son, Jay. The family expanded from there to a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, 5 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. James is survived by his wife, Linda Thomas, daughter, Lisa Jefferson (Mike), daughter-in-law, Jennifer Thomas, grandchildren, Lauren Nester (Jonah), Cole Renninger (Brittany), Layton Thomas, Rafe Thomas, and John Hudson Thomas, great-grandchildren, Kinsley Nester, Chanan Nester, Rowan Nester, Aubrey Renninger, and Holt Renninger, sisters, Brenda Thomas and Carolyn Albright (Mike), brother-in-law, Ray Setliff (Tammy), and sister-in-law, Mary Melton (Bob), and lots of nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his son, Jay, his parents, John and Clara, and his father-in-law, Eldridge Setliff, and mother-in-law, Agnes Setliff. James was the most active 80-year-old many people knew. His favorite pastimes included (get ready for a long list)…listening to live blue grass music and dancing with his cherished wife of over 61 years, Linda, growing enough vegetables to share in two gardens—one at home and one with his grandson, Rafe, catching and frying a whole bunch of Crappy with his sons, Jay and Mike, and grandsons, Cole, Layton, Rafe, and John Hudson, deer and turkey hunting with that same bunch and countless other friends, meticulously restoring antique cars with his son, Jay, and grandsons, Layton, Rafe, and John Hudson, hand making beautiful furniture, cabinets, and other wood projects for his wife, Linda, and daughters, Lisa and Jennifer, crafting magazine cover-worthy pecan pies for the whole family and then finding something wrong with them every time (a pastime shared with daughter, Lisa, over her own baked goods…all taste testers agree—there was NEVER anything wrong with them), making Christmas candy for (and generally doting on) the grandchildren, Lauren, Cole, Layton, Rafe, and John Hudson, and great grandchildren, Kinsley, Chanan, Rowan, Aubrey, and Holt, and worshipping God in a special fellowship at Hillcrest Baptist Church. James was a devoted family man and friend. He spent each minute of his day with or for the people that he loved. His friends called him a “perfectionist” in everything he did. His own word for himself was “peculiar”. Either way, James did the right things right in both his work and his home. He was dearly loved by everyone who knew him and he will be especially missed each and every day. The family is accepting visitors at the home of James and Linda Thomas. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, July 28th at 3:00 PM at Hillcrest Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Carlisle School, the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association, or Hillcrest Baptist Church. Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel is serving the Thomas family.

James William Thomas

June 13, 1944 - July 24, 2024