Bernard James Thomas

Candor-Bernard James “B.J.” Thomas Bernard James Thomas, 91, of West Currie Rd., Candor, died Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at his residence. Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM Friday, May 23, 2008 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, with Rev. Jack Phillips, Rev. Michael Free and Rev. Deborah Wilkins officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. A native of Montgomery County, Mr. Thomas was born March 4, 1917, the son of Lacy and Bertha Hancock Thomas. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, a member of the “Good ‘ole Boys” and a retired poultry farmer. Bernard was a member of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association, a member of the North Carolina Horseshoe Hall of Fame and an 8 time North Carolina State Champion. Bernard was an army aviation veteran of WW II. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elois Johnson Thomas in 1989. Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Catherine Myers Fox Thomas of the home; a daughter, Dree Wynkoop and husband Koop of Troy; a son, Michael Thomas and wife Terrie of Troy; 3 step-daughters, Kathryn Lee Layman and husband Michael of Charlotte, Beth Fox Spivey and husband Randy of Greensboro, and Sue Fox McCaskill and husband Randy of Biscoe; a stepson, Graham Fox and wife Susan L. of Candor; a grandchild, Ashley Thomas of Troy; 11 stepgrandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at Briggs-Candor Funeral Home and other times at the residence on Currie Rd. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the Gideons International, PO Box 103, Troy NC 27371 or to the North Carolina Horseshoe Pitching Association, 5638 River Rd, N Wilkesboro NC 28659.