Charles Edward Thomas Jr. passed away on May 23, 2025. He was born on May 30, 1933, in Baltimore, MD to Charles Edward Thomas Sr. and Edith Christine Sohn.
When he was young, he joined the bugle corps at his local church, where he learned how to handle a rifle and present arms. After high school he joined the Navy from 1951 to 1954. He served on the USS Worcester during the Korean War. When he went to boot camp, he became the Master of Arms because he was the only one who knew how to handle a rifle. After boot camp he went to damage control school where a simulation was set up with a ship in a tank of water and he had 15 minutes to fix holes, explosions, fire or electrical issues before the ship would sink. He was the leader of his class, so the Navy had him teach the next class. During his time in the Navy, he had missions in Italy, Libya, Greece, Spain, France, Malta, Morocco, Newfoundland and Greenland. He also traveled to Gitmo on the USS Baltimore for seven days before returning to the Mediterranean.
After the Navy he went on a blind date and met his beautiful future wife, Anna. They had 68 wonderful years together and three children. While they lived in Baltimore, MD he worked at Western Electric while attending night school to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then moved his family to Huntsville, AL in 1965 to work at Thiokol Chemical Corporation for the next 35 years as a Contract Administrator.
He was very active in his community; singing in the choir at church, Assistant Football Coach for Little League, Assistant Scoutmaster Boy Scouts, Indian Guides Chief (Chief Roaring Thunder) of the Local Nation, Habitat for Humanity, and he worked at the voting polls.
He traveled the world with his wife and enjoyed camping with his family. He was also Mr. Fix-it around the house building flower beds, laying brick, sprinkler systems, electrical, plumbing or carpentry. He was always available to help anyone in need. He will be greatly missed.
Charles was preceded in death by his son, Charles “Chuck” Thomas III. Charles is survived by his loving wife, Anna; his two daughters, Sharon Thomas-Gage and Deborah Woodford (Jeff); granddaughters, Alana Pesce (Giancarlo) and Jessica Woodford Townsend (Jay); grandsons, Evan Blomeyer (Jessica) and Zackary Woodford; great-granddaughter, Siyah Townsend; and great-grandsons, Lars and Bear Blomeyer.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, Huntsville, AL. The service will follow in the funeral home chapel.
In memory of Charles please consider donating to the National Kidney Foundation.
