Robert Thomas

After a long and courageous battle with lung cancer, Bob Thomas passed away just after 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, November 19, 2013 at the home he loved so much. In the days before his death he was visited by many of his dearest friends and loved ones which was a true comfort to him and his family. Bob lived a colorful life and was a true original. He had many friends, was a great cook and a storyteller extraordinaire. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather who lived his 87 years to the fullest. He will be missed Bob was born in Bluff Springs, Florida in 1926. At the age of 16 he joined the U.S. Coast Guard to help support his siblings and recently widowed mother. He served in WWII on Jekyll Island, GA with the Mounted Beach Patrol among other assignments. After the war he joined the Naval Reserve and was activated again during the Korean War. He served on board the USS Arnold J. Isbell where he most certainly did NOT remove a ham from the refrigeration room one of his favorite stories to tell Following his military service, Bob moved to Baton Rouge where he ultimately joined the workforce at Kaiser Aluminum working there for 36 years as a control room operator. Bobs early retirement in 1983 gave him plenty of time to pursue the activities he loved the most fishing, camping and travelling with his wife Shirley, cooking jambalaya and gumbo, and most of all gardening. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy from 5:00 7:00 p.m. Visiting on Friday, November 22, 2013 will be at Sherwood Baptist Church, 1180 S. Flannery Rd., on the corner of Goodwood and Flannery from 1:00 p.m. until service at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Dr. David Womack. Burial will be at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, the former Shirley Rockford, and his two daughters, Maria Kitty Thomas of Baton Rouge, LA and Terry Rogers of Lansing, KS. He is survived also by his soninlaw LTCR Everett B. Rogers, III and his five grandchildren: Darren Braud, Damon Wascom, Everett B. Rogers, IV, Anthony Rogers, and Andrew Rogers. He was preceded in death by his six siblings and his son, Robert E. Bobby Thomas, Jr. Pallbearers will be Everett Rogers, III, Everett Rogers, IV, Anthony Rogers, Andrew Rogers, Matt Burns, Shon Curry, Dennis Smith, and Pat Rockford. Bob was active in the Korean War Veterans Assoc. serving as president of Chapter 230 for three years. He proudly participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with other WWII veterans and enjoyed several reunions of the crew of the USS Arnold J. Isbell. He loved his church, Sherwood Baptist, and served as Chairman of the Ushers and Adult III Sunday School Director for many years. For their tremendous love and support, Shirley, Terry, and Kitty would like to sincerely thank Matt Burns and family whom we love like family, Shon and Hiawatha Curry, Yolanda Thierry, our many friends at Sherwood Baptist Church, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Healing Place Church, St. Joseph Hospice and our many friends and neighbors who have been such a comfort to us. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity, church, or hospital of your choice. Please visit www.resthavenbatonrouge.com to sign the online guestbook.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Thursday, November 21, 2013
5 pm7 pm

Service

Sherwood Baptist Church
1180 S. Flannery Road
Baton Rouge, LA  70815
Friday, November 22, 2013
1 pm2 pm

Sherwood Baptist Church
1180 S. Flannery Road
Baton Rouge, LA  70815
Friday, November 22, 2013
2 pm

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA  70816