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Charlie Thomas Obituary
PEORIA - Charlie "CJ" Thomas Jr., 65, of Peoria, Ill., passed away at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, Ill.
CJ was born on Aug. 15, 1949, in Greenwood, Miss., to Charlie Thomas Sr. and Margaret (Wright) Gulley.
CJ was an Army veteran, serving in the Vietnam War.
CJ attended ICC and the University of Iowa. He worked as a deputy clerk in the elections division at the Peoria County Courthouse.
CJ was an accomplished musician who played with the Soul Survivors and Dave & the Dynamics. He was a vocalist, composer and drummer "extraordinaire." He was also inducted into the Downstate African American Hall of Fame and Museum in 2001.
CJ is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marilyn (Barnes) Thomas of Peoria; his mother, Margaret Thomas Gulley of Peoria; two daughters, Camille (Tramond) Harris of Winter Park, Fla., and Brianna Thomas of New York, N.Y.; two sisters, Deborah Totten and Patricia "Nita" (Lee "Leroy") Wallace of Peoria; one brother, Edgar (Judy) Thomas of Westcliffe, Colo.; one half brother and sister, Borise and Reta Thomas of Chicago; one stepbrother and sister, Paul Gulley and Sue Guyton of Peoria; and three grandchildren, Ashlin Thomas of Peoria, Auries Thomas-Brown of Calumet City, Ill., and Alexandre Thomas-Brown of Altamonte Springs, Fla.
CJ was preceded in death by his father; one brother, Ulisher Thomas; and grandparents, Edgar and Mary Williams.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Forrest Hill United Methodist Church, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Curt Keller will officiate. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at simonsmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charlie Thomas
Vickie King
March 9, 2015
Briana, Steve, Deborah & Family - So very sorry to hear of CJ's passing. You have been blessed to have him in your lives. Thank you for sharing him. May God bless, comfort & keep you during your time of sorrow.
Araminta Young
March 7, 2015
Dear Camille and family: May you find joy and comfort in knowing that others are praying for your peace and strength during this time. Love and miss all of you. My continued prayers are with you and family. This is Laurie's Mother from Peoria, Il. Numbers 6:24-26
March 6, 2015
CJ was a genuine spirit...and yes, a gifted musician!
Our thoughts are with his family. Garry and Denise Moore
Laurie Cox
March 6, 2015
Camille, my heartfelt condolences and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn the loss of your father. We have been friends for a great number of years through thick and thin. If you need me I'm here. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Duane Davis
March 5, 2015
So sorry, i never got a chance to hang around CJ after high school..he was a true friend..my condolences..Duane Davis
March 5, 2015
Our prayers are with the family.
Sharon and LaColis Reed, Jr.
larry c douglas
March 5, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Leslie Jones
March 5, 2015
Condolences and prayers to the Thomas Family. Mr CJ was a good but yet funny man who always kept a beautiful smile on his face. Heaven has gained another angel!!!
John Ramsey
March 5, 2015
ONE THE TRUE GREAT MEN. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE C.J.
ANYONE WHO MET HIM WAS TRULY BLESSED.
YOU WILL BE MISSED AND REMEMBERED ALWAYS.
The Hoskins Family
March 5, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
M'Leka Davis
March 5, 2015
Sorry for your loss. My prayer for you and the family
Burr Brakeman
March 5, 2015
I am sorry to hear of this. Charlie and I entered the Army on the same day, and trained together at Fort Knox Kentucky.
gail kimbrough
March 5, 2015
My prayers go out to the Thomas and Wallace family may the good Lord keep you strong.Gail Kimbrough
C Jefferson
March 5, 2015
The Jefferson family extend to you our humble prayers for your family.
Edith Stubbs
March 5, 2015
My condolences to Brianna & family. I share your grief.
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