Ben David Thomas Sr.

Dr. Ben David Thomas, Sr., 87, of Zebulon, NC, died of a sudden illness on Saturday, July 12, 2008, in Raleigh, NC.
Born in York, SC in 1920, the oldest of six children, Dr. Thomas graduated from Furman University and attended the University of South Carolina Medical School in Charleston, SC. He completed his medical training in three years and became a member of the naval medical forces during World War II. After completing this duty, he began a private practice in Zebulon, NC, where, in 1947, he met and married Dorothy Davis, a school teacher at Wakelon School. In 1954, Dr. Thomas was again called into the army and was stationed at Fort Sill, OK for two years. He returned to his practice in Zebulon and retired after 43 years at the age of 74. Dr. Thomas delivered more than 5000 babies, half of them in their home or his medical office. His practice included more than five generations of patients who continued to communicate with him after his retirement in 1996. He will be remembered as the physician who "always had time to talk and listen to his patients".
Dr. Thomas was an avid gardener, loved to walk and exercise, enjoyed the study of the medical history of the Lewis and Clark expedition and appreciated spending time with his family and friends. He independently assisted a number of young students seeking admission to college by providing scholarship monies to these individuals.
His survivors include his wife, Myra; his children, Ben, Neil and Michele; his step- children, Stacy Williams, and Jane Euler; his sister, Wilma Florence; six grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends in the Great Room at Springmoor Retirement Community, 1500 Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC, on Monday, July 14, 2008, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Zebulon Baptist Church, 400 North Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC, (919) 269-7329.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall in the Glasgow Building.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, (LLS), (888) 773-9958.