ALLEN THOMAS

JULY 28, 1924 – JULY 27, 2010

 

IVA, SC – Mr. Allen Thomas, 85, of 102 Old River Road, died Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Anderson Place Assisted Living Community after an extended illness.

Born in Lowndesville, S.C., on July 28, 1924, he was the son of the late John Bunyan (J.B.) Thomas, Sr. and Ruth Speed Thomas.  Mr. Thomas is preceded in death by his wife, Marnoceta “Marny” Rice Thomas; a brother, J.B. Thomas, Jr.; and one great grandchild, Emeline Ruth Meadows. He is survived by three daughters: Gwendolyn Thomas Stowe and her husband,Timothy, of Gastonia, N.C., Janet Thomas Parnell  and her husband, William, of Anderson, and Kathy Thomas Glass and her husband, David, of Richmond, V.A. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Jynne Ruth Stowe of Anderson, Christy Stowe Meadows and her husband, Aaron, of Hanahan, S.C., Lauren JoAnn Parnell of Anderson, Jamin Allen Parnell of Shelby, N.C., Erin Nicole Parnell of Anderson, David Allen Glass Jr. and Caroline Rice Glass of Richmond, V.A. and one great grandchild, Elisea Claire Meadows of N. Hanahan, S.C. He is also survived by a sister, Kathleen Thomas and brother, Walter Thomas, both of Iva, S.C.

Mr. Thomas enrolled in the US. Army during World War II and served in the 13th Airborne Army Airforce division from 1943 – 1947. He attended the University of South Carolina before returning to Anderson to work for Eastern Airlines and subsequently opened the Iva Gulf Station with his brother, J.B. Thomas in 1950. He owned several additional businesses including a real estate company where he served as broker. He was a member of the American Legion, Thomas Leverette Post No. 44, where he served as post commander and was district commander for District #6 Anderson/Oconee American Legion in the late 1950’s.  Additionally, Mr. Thomas was an active member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher and trustee.

Mr. Thomas’passion in life aside from his family was in public service where he began his tenure as a town councilman in Iva in 1960. After two terms, he was elected mayor of Iva and served in that capacity for over 23 years. Under his leadership as mayor, numerous civic accomplishments made a lasting impact in the Iva community, the most notable being the opening of the ISLA Medical Center in 1975 (currently AnMed Iva Medical Center) which has served four towns and surrounding areas for over 30 years. Further accomplishments during his public office tenure were the opening of a new town hall and jail complex, fire station, public park/recreation area, library conversion, several land and facility improvement grants, as well as the establishment of a new water treatment system.  Mr. Thomas was known for his progressive yet thoughtful style and prided himself in knowing every town resident and always being available to listen and help others in the community. During his early years

of public service he also served on the boards of several government and civic organizations including the Anderson County Board of Assessors, Anderson County Board of Education, Anderson County Tuberculosis Association, Iva Lions Club (President) and the South Carolina Municipal Association. 

Mr. Thomas continued his commitment to public service upon his appointment as Anderson County Veterans Affairs Officer in 1981 where he served until his retirement in 1987.  Upon retirement, he served on the Anderson County Transportation Board and Anderson Economic Development Board, serving as Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively.

The family will receive friends Thursday, July 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at The McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson.  The Funeral Service will be held Friday, July 30, at 4:00 pm at Bethel United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Bill Parnell and the Rev. Aaron Meadows. Interment with Military Honors provided by Fort Gordon will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Anderson.

Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 535, Iva, SC, 29655. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.

THE MC DOUGALD FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.