Ernest L. "Sol" Thomas

Ernest L. "Sol" Thomas, 94, of Lenoir City, TN, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Born on October 8, 1931, in Loudon, TN, he was a devoted husband to Shirley Thomas and a loving father to Michael and Mark Thomas.

Sol was a hard working man who spent his entire life in service. He was an Air Force veteran, serving in the Korean War before meeting the love of his life, Shirley Johnson. Sol and Shirley were married for 65 years until Shirley's passing in 2021. He spent his retirement years volunteering at The Good Samaritan Center from age 71 to age 89. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Lenoir City, where he was loved by an entire congregation. He also took great care of his neighborhood on W 6th Avenue, mowing his neighbors' yards along with his own.

Growing up in Loudon, his early jobs included delivering ice, working as a short order cook, and as a movie projectionist. After serving in the military, he spent 31 years working at Union Carbide/Viskase in Loudon, and 12 years with LCUB, retiring at age 71.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest L. Thomas Sr.; mother, Marie (Smallen) Thomas; sister, Imojean Thomas; grandson, Jake Thomas; and sister-in-law, Patricia Perry.

He is survived by his sons, Michael Thomas and Mark Thomas; daughter- in-law, Monica Thomas; grandson, Zach Thomas and his wife, Shelly James Thomas; sister, Mary Lou Bradley and her husband Skip; and brother-in-law, Ed Perry.

The family will receive friends on Monday, March 23rd , from 5pm-7pm at Trinity United Methodist Church. A funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Barbara Clark officiating. A graveside ceremony will be Tuesday, March 24th at 11:00am at Lakeview Cemetery in Lenoir City.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sol's memory to Trinity United Methodist Church, 300 W. 2nd Ave, Lenoir City, TN 37771.