Dexter William Thomas

Dexter William Thomas, 89, of Woodbridge, died Monday, March 27, 2023 at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. He was the husband of Barbara Newton Thomas for 67 years. Dexter was born on October 14, 1933 in Hemingway, SC to the late Joseph Alexander Thomas and Agnes Jane Cribb. Growing up in and around Charleston, he recalled spending so much time outdoors with his little Spitz dog that his hair would be bleached white by the sun. His love of animals continued throughout his life, and they loved him in return. After his 1951 graduation from Chicora High School, he began a career of faithful service to his country. Over a period of twenty years, he served first in the Navy, then moved to the Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. His time in the military took him around the world, from the Galapagos to Labrador. His duty stations included Taiwan when it was still known as Formosa, Turkey, and Alaska. After retiring from the Air Force, he spent 23 years working for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington, DC as a Communications Specialist. In 1996, he began a third career with PEC Solutions. Retiring for the final time in the early 2000s, he spent his remaining years active in Lake Ridge Baptist Church, where he had been a member since 1979, as well as traveling with Barbara in one of his beloved Cadillacs. Dexter had a lifelong fascination with technology, from constructing the family's first TV in the 1950s to buying a virtual reality headset when he was in his eighties. The definition of an early adopter, he introduced the family to Google and beta-tested new versions of Windows for Microsoft. He enjoyed hours on his flight simulator programs, and always had a high-performance PC built to his specifications. He patiently served as "tech support" to family and friends.
Dexter was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph Thomas, Jr. and Bobby James Thomas. In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by three daughters, Kathy T. Gunnels and her husband Jim of Argyle, Texas, Kimberly T. O'Neal and her husband David of Mt. Dora, Florida, and Kristina T. Marshall and her husband Tim of Woodbridge; six grandchildren, Stephen O'Neal (Porscha), Blair Glenn (Michael), Katey Selleri (Alessio), Emily Young (Chris), Brooke Vancil (Matt), and Evan Marshall; and eleven great-grandchildren, Bentley, Harper, Luca, David, McKinley, Hudson, Scarlett, Nathan, Audrey, Briley, and Joy. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Lake Ridge Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Brian Burdett. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow the service in the Fuson Fellowship Hall. Those wishing to make memorials, please consider Lake Ridge Baptist Church, 12450 Clipper Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22192.