Raymond E. Thomas Jr.

Raymond E. Thomas Jr., age 88 years, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Friday, December 7, 2018 surrounded by family. He was a lifelong resident of New Orleans and a parishioner of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Gretna, LA. Beloved husband of the late Carol Lee Verret Thomas. Father of Steven C. Thomas, Jayne Thomas Nicholas (Steve), Raymond E. Thomas III (Leigh Ann) and Renee M. Thomas. Grandfather of Christopher Nicholas, Taylor Fuselier, Ashley Fuselier, and Kate Thomas. Great-grandfather of Stella Nicholas and Lucas Fuselier. Son of the late Raymond E. Thomas Sr. and the late Rita Hindelang Thomas. Brother of the late Merell Prevost. Brother-in-law of Laura Wilty and Peter Prevost. Cousin of Janelle Schwarzenbach, Michael Hindelang, MD, and Sylvia McKee. Uncle of Edward Camnetar, Carol Jean Rouillier, Anne Huber, Vernon J. Wilty III, Kenny Prevost, Karen Sauzer, and Jeanne Cohen. Lifelong friends of Pete Barlow, Earl Darnall, Claude Schlesinger and his special buddy, Kevin Smith. He graduated from Holy Name of Mary Catholic School, Algiers, LA and attended Tulane University. He served our country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1948-1950 and in the U.S. Air Force 1950-1954. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, U.N. Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He retired from IBM Corporation after serving 34 years. He was an avid fisherman out of the Venice Marina. Every December and January, he could be found duck hunting at Pass a Loutre. Ray served as the first president 1997-1998 of the Westbank Chapter of the CCA (Coastal Conservation Association). He continued to be active in the CCA for many years. He was president of the Lures and Liars Fishing Club, and an active member for many years. He was a Knights of Columbus Council No. 1905 member for 65 years. Relatives and friends of the family also members of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1905 are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the chapel of Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expwy., Harvey, LA on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 1:30pm. Interment, Westlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Monday morning from 11:30am until 1:30pm. The family would like to express gratitude to caregiver, Glenda Brown, and also to the kind and caring staff members of Passages Hospice, New Orleans, LA. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com.