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Zeb Thomas Obituary
Born February 3, 1922 on the family farm near Monroe, North Carolina, he was the son of Guy Reid and Bertha Smith Thomas. He was predeceased by his siblings, James Ranford Thomas, Mae Thomas Plyler, Marjorie Thomas Mangum, Sarah Lee Thomas Eubanks, and Dorothy Thomas Gilbert.
Mr. Thomas is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Clyde Helms Thomas; his children, Zeb Thomas Jr. and wife, Elizabeth, Jack Thomas and wife, Vicki, Rand Thomas and wife, Babs, and Anna Thomas Brittain and husband, David; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Mr. Thomas served his country in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater during World War II. After military service, he returned to the family farm and raised chickens and turkeys. He also traveled as a route salesman, delivering poultry products to small grocery stores throughout North and South Carolina. In 1960 Mr. Thomas moved to Myrtle Beach and entered the motel business. He and his family have owned and operated the Dayton House Motel on 24th Avenue North since that time.
Mr. Thomas was a tireless promoter of Myrtle Beach, serving as president of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce from 1967 until 1968 and 1976 until 1977. He also served as chairman of the Council of Myrtle Beach Organizations (COMBO), and president of the Myrtle Beach Hospitality Association. He received the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 1978, and its first Pioneer Award in 2004. In 1995 he received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor David Beasley. For many years in the 1960s and 1970s, Mr. Thomas represented the Grand Stand on Chamber of Commerce bus and auto tours to the Northeast and Canada, promoting tourism. He led the fight for funding I-73 in the early years of that effort, and was honored to have the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge on Grissom Parkway bear his name. He was Governor of Best Western Hotel Chain for the state of South Carolina for many years.
Mr. Thomas was a Mason, a member of the Lions Club, and board chairman for Union School in Union County, N.C. He was a founding stockholder of the Anchor Bank, and served as chairman of its Board of Directors. He was a charter member of Ocean View Baptist Church, and a committed and generous supporter of its ministry and programs. Mr. Thomas was a self-effacing man known for hard work, conservatism, sound judgment, firm opinions, and few words. He leaves a legacy of commitment to God, family, community, and country. He will be missed.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Ocean View Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, May 25, 2009 at McMillan-Small Funeral Home.
An online guest book is available at www.msfh.net or TheSunNews.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ocean View Baptist Church, 7300 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572.
McMillan-Small Funeral Home of Myrtle Beach is assisting the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Zeb Thomas
Otho Weller
October 2, 2009
To Mr. Thomas' family, I was sorry to hear about the passing of your husband, Father, and Grandfather. I enjoyed working for him at the Dayton House for three years. My deepest sympathy.
John and Barbara Overby
June 20, 2009
Dear Thomas family,
Our family just learned today of Mr. Thomas'passing. Our family has so many wonderful memories of staying at the Dayton House with my uncle Carson Brown and his employees during the trade conventions. We always felt priviledged to share a few words with Mr. Thomas and appreciated the family atmosphere of the Dayton House. In recent years we have been fortunate to own a condo in Myrtle Beach and had seen Mr. and Mrs. Thomas occasionally when we visited Ocean View Baptist Church. We always made it a point to seek him out and say Hello...he was one of those people you just couldn't forget. He made a lasting impression on our family. We were in Myrtle Beach last week and made it a point to drive by the Dayton House as we often do - remembering the wonderful times. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Kathy and Bob Moore
June 8, 2009
We were saddened to hear of Mr. Zeb's passing. He will be missed greatly by the hospitality industry. You have our deepest sympathy.
Linda Lucas
June 2, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. What I remember most about Mr Thomas was what a hard worker he was. We have been coming to the Dayton House for thirty years. I remember seeing him, even last year, working around the resort. Next month we are coming to the Dayton House and I will miss seeing him. He will be greatly missed.
May 31, 2009
Aunt Clyde, Morris, Rand, Jackie and Ann,
Larry and I want you to know Uncle Zeb will always be our favorite Uncle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Larry and Connie
Joyce Geisler
May 31, 2009
To the family of Zeb Thomas Sr.:
We have just heard of the passing of your father and husband and wanted to send our heartfelt sympathy to you all. We found Mr. Zeb to be a gracious and friendly man and looked forward to seeing him every year when we came on vacation. We had been coming to the Dayton House since '76 until we moved here from Maryland in '99 and would not consider staying anywhere else. Our relatives feel the same way and still stay at the Dayton House when vacationing in MB. Occasionally we would see him since then at Uncle Johns Restaurant. May you find comfort in knowing that many people share fond memories of Mr. Zeb.
Sincerely,
Joyce and Brian Geisler
Tom Davis
May 31, 2009
Jack,
I was baptised at Ocean View Baptist and was a little afraid of your Dad when I first met him. Between George Bishop, Jimmy Tyson, Malcome Fowler and your Father there was a lot of horsepower there and those other men often deferred to him - I saw it; so I knew he was a force. Later at Anchor he helped me when I was getting started, all it took was a nod and, well ... that's all it took.
I know that he was very pround of all of you. That was fully justified; the Thomas boys and the Benton boys are the best this area ever produced without at least one mess up. You're a good man, so are all your brothers. I'm sorry for your loss; take care of your Mother. I know that you will.
May 28, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Carrol and Jane Holshouser, Gregg Holshouser and Sarah Marie ``Sam'' Cox.
Carolyn Pittman (Parker)
May 28, 2009
I just heard the news of Zeb's passing and want to let all of you know how sorry I am. I first met Mr. Thomas when I worked for the Chamber of Commerce in 1974 while he was the Chairman. It was always a joy to see him come in that old chamber building to visit with us. I have known most of you for many years and my heart and prayers go out to you. It is a sad time when you lose someone so precious in your life! Blessings to you all.
Harold and Mable Blythe
May 28, 2009
To the Thomas Family: We were so sorry to hear of Zeb's passing. We so enjoyed visiting with him at the beach. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
May 28, 2009
TO ALL THE THOMAS FAMILY:
I WAS SADDENED TO HEAR OF YOUR BELOVED FATHER AND HUSBAND PASSING!! HE WAS SUCH A KIND, PLEASANT MAN. I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM WHEN WORKING AT THE ANCHOR BANK.
LOVE AND BLESSINGS ALWAYS,
SHIRLEY C. LAYTON
Sam & Brenda Browder
May 27, 2009
We have had the pleasure of knowing Zeb and his Family for nearly 40 years. He was one of the finest men I have ever known. We will certainly miss Him. Our prayers are with the Family.
Sam & Brenda Browder
May 27, 2009
Our deepest sympathies to the entire family. Zeb was not only our patient, but a much loved & respected friend. We looked forward to seeing him for his visits with his positive outlook & kind, intlligent words...He will truly be missed...Our love & best wishes, Nancy Eisenberger, Doug Conaway & the entire Rheumatology Staff
gayle smith
May 26, 2009
thinking of your family during this time and remembering fond memories of days gone by here in union county
Norma and Harry Branton and Harry Branton Jr.
May 26, 2009
He was a good, good man who lived a long and productive life. We all were touched by him in a positive way and will benefit for many days to come because of him. He will be missed and remembered.
Russell and Kim Honeycutt
May 26, 2009
I will always cherish the years I served with Zeb as a Best Western Governor. He was an inspiration to me in business. He loved God, Clyde, and his family. Zeb worked hard and enjoyed life. Surely, he is with the Lord today. My wife (Kim) and I will miss his annual blueberry drop off. We love you and we are praying for you Clyde, Zeb Jr., and family.
Richard Jones
May 26, 2009
So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Thomas. I had the joy of meeting Mr. Thomas when I joined the staff of Best Western back in 1996. He was missed when the Dayton House left the BW Family and he will continued to be missed. Fine gentlemen.
wes browder
May 26, 2009
My family has stayed at the Dayton House for over thirty years. Mr Thomas will be missed very much. He always showed us kindness, my prayers are with the family.
wes browder,kingsport tn
Patti Gush
May 26, 2009
My parents, Richard and Dorothy Milazzo, spent many years staying at the Dayton House. They saw many changes because of Mr. Thomas' vision. He was a hard worker and a true gentleman. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
nikki whitehead
May 25, 2009
To all of the Thomas Family,
Mr. Thomas was a wonderful man. I always looked forward to seeing his smiling face when he came into Uncle John's restaraunt. He has told me many stories of all the things that he has accomplished in his life. He will be greatly missed. My sympathy to all of you.
-nikki
Charlotte Grimes
May 25, 2009
Vicki and Jack,
I am so sorry for your loss. Jack, your father left a legacy to be proud of -so many accomplishments. Charlotte Grimes
William-Diane Bernard
May 25, 2009
Thomas Family,
My wife and I are sorry for the passing of Mr. Thomas.We have stayed at the Dayton House for 15 yrs. I knew Mr. Thomas well. We just left the hotel today. Did not know his passing til my wife saw it in the paper.Rand you spoke with us Thursday about not parking in the lot next to office because of the pattern.Our prayers are with you. May God bless.
May 25, 2009
To the family of Mr. Thomas,
May it comfort you to know that you have our heartfelt sympathy. He will indeed be missed.
The SC Hardeeville Welcome Center
Sylvia Richardson
May 25, 2009
Jack and Vickie
Sorry to hear of your father's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dennis Wade
May 25, 2009
"Mr. Zeb" will be dearly missed by the Grand Strand. I was so honored to have the opportunity to get to know Mr. Zeb and to call on his leadership and wisdom following Ashby Ward's passing. Heaven is already a better place with Mr. Zeb in its company. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Clyde and the entire Thomas family.
Mike Whitaker
May 25, 2009
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Thomas. We always enjoyed visiting with him at the Dayton House. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Mike & Debbie Whitaker
Christiansburg VA
Tammy Skipper
May 25, 2009
Jack, Vickie,and family. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your father. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and comfort you during this time and always.
Thomas Isaac
May 25, 2009
To Vickie Corbett Thomas,
I am sorry to read of your father-in-law's passing. I knew of Him but did not know him persoanly. Know that he lived a long and properous life and is now at peace.
May 25, 2009
Jack, Vicki & Family
Our deepest sympathy for you and your family.
Mr. Zeb was a wonderful man.
Robert & Ann Marion
Danny Singleton
May 25, 2009
Mr. Thomas was an honest,truthful,and respectful man and my sympathies are with the family in this time of loss.
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McMillan-Small Funeral Home & Crematory910 67th Ave North P.O. Box 7506, Corner of 67th Ave. And Bypass 17, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
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