James "Thomas" Fricks

James "Thomas" Fredrick Fricks, 87, of Flintstone, GA passed away on September 16, 2025. He was born on August 28, 1938, to the late Thomas Jefferson Fricks and Bessie Ruth Ballard Fricks. He was affectionately known by family as Dad, Grandaddy, Big Papa, and Uncle Thomas.

Thomas graduated from Chattanooga City High School and Chattanooga State Community College. His early life was spent in the Alton Park community of Chattanooga, and he later lived his young adult life in St. Elmo. He was a member of St. Elmo Avenue Baptist Church during that time.

In 1971, Thomas moved to Flintstone, Georgia, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He was a member of Flintstone Baptist Church and was active in the Chattanooga Valley Kiwanis Club. In his later years, he attended St. Elmo Presbyterian Church.

A young Thomas worked at the Chattanooga Medicine Company, later known as Chattem Drug. He was a long-time employee of CD Genter Company and Genco Corporation, serving as an accountant and comptroller. Before retirement, he was manager of Mueller Credit Union.

Thomas loved working the land. He enjoyed raising a vegetable garden and was certified as a master gardener. A cowboy at heart, he spent many enjoyable hours working cattle on his beloved Hananeel Farm. He was a member of the Georgia Cattleman's Association and the Walker County Young Farmers. Thomas also taught gardening and soil conservation classes in the community and gave presentations for Ag Days in local schools.

As a strong supporter of school athletics, Thomas served as the press box spotter for Chattanooga Valley and Ridgeland High football. He was also the public address announcer for Rossville Middle School football, where he was well known for proclaiming that an opponent had been tackled by "a pack of dawgs." He enjoyed competition barbecuing with friends and was proud to have served in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Loyce Fricks; brothers, Jimmy, RJ, and Sonny; and sisters, Betty Ruth, Helen, and Barbara.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Jeff Fricks, Daune Fricks, Jonathan Fricks, and Rick Flowers; grandchildren, Tiphane Fricks, Taylor Fricks, and Stephanie Fricks; great-grandchildren, Kansas Kuhn, Khloee Kuhn, and Atticus Anderton; along with many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, South Crest Chapel, 833 Chickamauga Ave., Rossville, Georgia.

Condolences can be shared with the Fricks family at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.

All arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, South Crest Chapel, Rossville, Georgia.