Gary Lawrence Thomas

Gary Lawrence Thomas, age 72, of Fuquay-Varina, NC (formerly Broadway, NC) went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday August 28, 2024 at Fuquay Health & Rehab.
He was born in Lee County, NC on March 26,1952 to the late Lawrence Kruse Thomas and Norine Whitfield Thomas McPhail.
Gary attended CCTI where he studied automotive mechanics and became a very skilled mechanic and went on to become the owner/operator of Broadway Gulf Station. He loved Fords and later retired from Crossroads Ford as a driver. He enjoyed telling the story of how he put a Ford motor in a Chevy truck and how he was known as the car doctor. He liked sporting Hawaiian shirts, never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He often reminisced of growing up working on the farm, milking cows and working in tobacco with his siblings. He loved to read and learn and had a wealth of knowledge about a wide variety of subjects ranging from cars, to health and wellness and always thought outside of the box. He had a natural knack for fixing things and a silly sense of humor - both of which were passed down to his son, Lawrence aka "buddy". He was quick to brag about what a good mechanic Lawrence is and loved to joke around with him. He loved all kinds of music but especially Garth Brooks, Elvis, and Stevie Nicks. He could think of a song to sing to fit any situation or quote a Bible verse that applied. He was a self proclaimed "choc-a-holic" and loved to eat bananas. Stephanie kept him stocked up on bananas and would bring him banana pudding per his request "just like his momma made it" as his favorite treat. Stephanie was his "sweetheart" and she adored her "sweet daddy" just as much.
Gary loved his family very much, and was proud of his children, their spouses and his 5 grandchildren. He also cared very much about the mother of his children, Vickie. He would do anything that he was able to do to help, whether that be changing a tire, mowing the grass or pushing a stroller. He loved to read his grandkids books or slide some change to them for their piggy banks. More than anything, Gary wanted all of his family and friends to have a personal relationship with Jesus and will be remembered for often telling his kids and grandkids, "always remember Jesus loves you". He will be greatly missed, but our hope is in Heaven and knowing that he is with Jesus.
He is survived by a son, Lawrence Thomas (Molly) of Fuquay Varina, NC, a daughter Stephanie Edwards (Luke) of Fuquay Varina, NC, and their mother Vickie Thomas. Brothers, Danny Thomas (Elaine) of Lillington, Randy Thomas (Belinda) of Sanford, David Thomas (Phyllis) of Wilmington, and sisters, Teresa Talley of Greensboro, and Karen Dollar (Ronnie) of Texas and five grandchildren, Lucas Edwards, Connor Edwards, Elinor Thomas, Makayla Edwards, and Kruse Thomas.
A funeral service will be held at Bridges Cameron Funeral Home, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 1:00 PM. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM before the funeral hour. Burial will follow at Broadway Town Cemetery.
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
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