Miles Landon Thomas, of Ringgold, Georgia, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after a brief illness. He was born November the 29th, 1940 in Gadsden, Alabama and grew up in Fort Payne.
Miles graduated from Fort Payne High School in 1958 and attended Jacksonville State University, graduating with a BS in Music Education. Further studies were accomplished at the University of Alabama and Georgia State University. While at Jacksonville State, he served as president of the Marching Southerners.
Miles began his professional life as a public-school band director in Georgia and Tennessee, where his bands won numerous awards and performed widely at public functions, including a performance at an Atlanta Falcons football game. While teaching at Sandy Springs, Georginia, he was named “Man of the Year” for that community.
After leaving public education, he was employed by HCA Parkridge Health System of Chattanooga, where he created and developed an Employees Assistance Program serving numerous companies in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, including Coca-Cola.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon CST on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Fort Payne with Dr. Pat McFadden officiating and eulogy given by Doug Crowe. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. CST and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. CST at Wilson Funeral Home of Fort Payne. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to your favorite charity.
He is survived by his wife Elaine Steele Thomas; son Miles Landon Thomas, Jr; step-children David Williams, Jr. and Dana Chester (Matt); step-grandchildren Brandon Chester and Jake Chester; brother Dr. Barry Thomas and wife Mary Elizabeth, sister-in-law Sarah Ann Thomas; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Flora Thomas; his son Kipp Thomas; sister Dr. Pheroba Ann Thomas, a step-brother Robert Blaine Thomas and wife Louise, and brother John Casey Thomas.
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.
