Dr. Don Thomas

Dr. Don Thomas, age 91, of Dalton, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024 at his residence after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
He was born July 14, 1933 to Sam and Lucy Patterson Thomas of the Pleasant Grove Community and was a lifelong resident of Whitfield County. Don attended Berry College, Georgia Teachers College (Georgia Southern) and earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Dr. Thomas was a family practice physician in Dalton where he cared not only for the physical well-being of his patients but also for their spiritual health. He retired at the age of 85 after practicing medicine for 58 years.
Don Thomas began his political career in 1972 with his election to the Whitfield County School Board. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1974 until 1984. As Chairman, he led a statewide battle that resulted in Georgia adopting a formula for equalizing funding for local school systems.
Don served in the Georgia Senate for 14 years before his retirement in 2010 and was known as a soft-spoken lawmaker who was able to push through major legislation with bi-partisan support, most notably the state law that prohibits smoking in most restaurants and public places. He also led the fight to amend Georgia's seat belt law to require seat belts in pickup trucks.
A man of deep and abiding Christian faith, Don was active in Gideons International for more than 40 years sharing his testimony of faith in countless churches throughout Dalton and surrounding counties. He was also a member of Dalton Rotary Club for more than 40 years.
He is survived by eight children, Angela (Michael) Sain of College Grove, TN, Melody (Curt) Hammontree, Ondray (Brenda) Thomas, Mark (April) Thomas, all of Dalton, Joye (Jim) Wills of Ooltewah, John (Amanda) Thomas, Mary (Brad) Faucett, all of Dalton, Rose (Eddie) Brown of Chattanooga; 18 grandchildren, Michael, Annie,
Caleb, Brock, Abby, David, Emily, Thomas, Sam, Sarah, Jack, Anna, Emma, Libby, Kelly, Bowen, Brandon and Candace; 15 great grandchildren, Merriwether, Maggie, Katie Charlotte, Bo, Boone, Allie Grey, Paige, Huck, Vada, John Mark, Clara, Burns, Rose, Maggie and Sienna; his sister Farrell Starnes and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Emma Jean Brock Thomas; his granddaughter Katie Hammontree Whitlow; his sister Thelma Souther; his brothers, R.S. Thomas, John Thomas, Gene Thomas and Albert Thomas.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, July, 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Grove Level Baptist Church with visitation beginning before the funeral service at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow in the United Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the Julian Peeples Funeral Home on Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Grove Level Baptist Church, 2802 Cleveland Road, Dalton, Ga 30721 or the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st St. Ste #800, Miami, Fl 33131.
Messages of comfort may be sent to the family at www.julianpeeples.com.
Arrangements are by Julian Peeples Funeral Home of Dalton. For more information, please call 706-259-7455.