James D. Thomas

James D. Thomas, 61

FELTON — James D. Thomas, retired Senior Master Sergeant, USAF, of Felton, lost his battle with cancer on March 31, 2014, surrounded by his family at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.

Mr. Thomas retired in 1994, from the U.S. Air Force at Dover AFB, after serving his country for 22 years. Throughout his Air Force career, Mr. Thomas was assigned to numerous locations, including the Udorn Royal Thai AFB where he was in Law Enforcement, Lockport Radar Site in NY, Griffiths AFB in NY, Peterson AFB in CO, England, McGuire AFB in NJ, Iceland, and finally in Dover AFB where he was cross trained to Fuel Systems Repair for C-5 aircraft. He finally retired from Dover AFB with his family in Felton, DE and became “Mr. Mom”. Once his wife retired in 2003, Mr. Thomas worked for Caesar Rodney School District at W. Riley Brown Elementary for several years.

Mr. Thomas was a huge fan of the Phillies and he loved listening to Doo Wop music. He dearly loved his pets, his cats Jelly Bean and Bushy Bear, and his 2 dogs, Andy and Nikki.

Mr. Thomas was a Life Member of the Little Creek Fire Company, and a Delaware State Fire Policeman. He was also a Life Member of the Millcreek Fire Company of Wilmington.

He is preceded in death by his father, James R. Thomas; mother, Ruth C. Thomas; and brother, David A. Thomas. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Lisa Thomas of Felton; daughter, Christina Thomas of Magnolia; son, William Thomas of Felton; sister, Paula Thomas and spouse, Jacqueline Palmer of Wilmington; mother and father in law, Carol and William Eckelman of Harrington; brother and sister in law, David and Stephanie Eckelman of Saugus, Cali.; nieces, Cassandra and Amanda of Saugus, Cali.; aunt and uncle, Margaret and Ira Lunt of New Castle and their children.

Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to: The Delaware Hospice Center and the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home, visit our website at www.melvinfuneralhome.com for further information, leave a letter of condolence, or to send flowers.

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