Stephen Phillip Thomas

Stephen Philip Thomas was born on April 30, 1958, in Plant City Florida to Dr. Joseph Thomas and Martha Janice Thomas. Early in 1959, after the passing of his father, he, his mom, and three older brothers, moved to Saint Augustine, Florida, so that they could be closer to their grandparents, Ruth and Ambrose Masters of Elkton, Florida. Janice was expecting his sister, Mary, at that time.
Stephen attended Cathedral Parish school. He graduated from Saint Joseph Academy in 1977.
Stephen was in the Boy Scouts. He was on the football team and cross-country team in high school. His passion was to be in the ocean anytime he possibly could, though-surfing. He was an excellent surfer!
Stephen worked in brick masonry. He worked with his brothers. His brothers, Paul and John, have their own masonry businesses. His brother Edward also worked alongside them. The four brothers were quite close, surfing together and hanging out at the beach or at Anastasia State Park or Washington Oaks State Park.
Though marriage and family life was not his calling, Stephen had lady friends throughout the years, who he loved very dearly. But, Stephen had a giant circle of friends and neighbors who were truly his loving family.
Stephen's doors and windows were always open on 7th Street for any of his family, friends/neighbors, whether they were two or four legged. Cats, raccoons, possums, and birds made their homes in his home. But he had to put a block in front of the refrigerator door since Rocky Raccoon would open the fridge and help himself out with what was inside.
He loved his immediate nieces and nephews as if they were his own children. Christine Lambert and Corey Thomas (Paul's children). Sarah Clay (John's daughter). Bryan, Joshua, Rebecca Smith and Kathleen Sargeant (Mary's children). And, of course, he loved his great nieces and nephews. Will, Riley, Christian and Hailey Lambert (Christine's children). Charlize Thomas (Corey's daughter). Tucker Ray and Arlo Clay (Sarah's sons). Tristan and Hannah Smith (Bryan's children). Noah, Abigail, Liam Sargeant (Kathleen's children). Isaac and Eva Smith (Joshua's children). Caiden Smith and Korra Roach (Rebecca's children).
Stephen would do anything for you. Take your trash and recycling out, do yardwork, give you the shirt off of his back, or just chill and watch a ball game with you. But most of all, he'd say he was going to pray for you, and say, God bless you!
Stephen passed at his favorite place on earth – our beautiful Atlantic ocean, in the Saint Augustine Beach waters. His spirit lives on in those waters and when you walk the beach, he's still beside you picking up shells and shark teeth. He will always and forever be missed and loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Joseph Edward Thomas and Martha Janice Thomas. He has left behind his brothers Edward (Betty), Paul (Tricia), John (Debbie), and his sister Mary Thomas. He also has left behind several nieces and nephews, his uncle Tom Masters and aunts Sister Mary Ruth Masters and Joan Tringali and a multitude of cousins.
A rosary will start at 12:30 on October 18, 2025 at Saint Ambrose, Catholic Church in Elkton, Florida. The funeral Mass will start at 1 PM.
Donations can be sent to Sister Mary Ruth at Saint Joseph Academy 175 Rich Cove Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751 or to Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, 6070 Church Rd., Elkton, FL 32033, rather than sending flowers.
There will be a reception following at Paul Thomas home 5295 Cedar Rd., Saint Augustine, FL 32080 at approximately 3 PM.