Mr. James M. "Jim" Thomas

Mr. James "Jim" M. Thomas, 101, passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at his home in Fernandina Beach.
He was born in Yulee and was a son of the late David M. and Chal Treatie May Thomas. His father passed away when he was 15 years old. He attended school in Yulee and would eventually earn his GED after joining the U. S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Thomas joined the U. S. Marine Corps when he was 17 years old before the beginning of World War II. He served in China are part of a regiment assigned to protect American interests and citizens from the Japanese prior to World War II. He served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Mr. Thomas was honorably discharged at the rank of Tech Sergeant with over 14 years' service.
Mr. Thomas returned home to Nassau County and quickly became an integral part of the community. Through the years he served Nassau County in a variety of ways. He worked for the School Board as Maintenance Supervisor, and the Nassau County Sheriff's Office as a Juvenile Officer. He also worked for Rayonier for a short period of time and owned and operated Thomas Plumbing Company. Mr. Thomas also served his community in public offices including the Nassau County Commission and the Nassau County School Board. Until his retirement at age 85, he owned and operated Thomas Building and Maintenance Company, a general contracting firm.
He was a member of several organizations including the Marine Corps League. Mr. Thomas was a former member of United Methodist Church of Callahan and taught Sunday School there. He became a member of First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach. He as an active member of First Presbyterian as long as his health allowed. He taught Sunday School there and was an Elder and Deacon.
In addition to his parents and all of his siblings, Mr. Thomas was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Ann Thomas, a son, Phillip Terry Thomas and a son-in-law, Fred Armstrong.
He leaves behind his three daughters, Linda Armstrong, Brenda Wall and her husband, James, and Beth McDonald and her husband, Larry, all of Fernandina Beach as well as a daughter-in-law, Alicia Thomas of Glen St. Mary; 17 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren and a large extended family.
The family will receive friends at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan, 12, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach beginning at 11 a.m.
He will be laid to rest, with military honors, next to his wife at Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Rather than flowers, the family asks donations be made, in his memory to First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors