WM THOMAS

WM. HENRY THOMAS

Wm. Henry Thomas, age 88, of Cambridge, MD, died Tuesday morning, March 3, 2009 at Chesapeake Woods Center, Cambridge, MD.

Born on September 19, 1920 at Hudson in Cambridge, Dorchester County, MD, he was the son of the late Carroll Wesley Thomas and Estelle Marshall Thomas.

He attended school at Hudson and graduated from the Cambridge High School. Mr. Thomas and his father and brother Mace, formed Carroll W. Thomas & Sons Inc., a business that was to continue for over fifty years.

On June 15, 1942 he enlisted in the cadet program of the U.S. Army Air Corps. In March of 1943 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. A flying fortress pilot, he flew in excess of forty seven missions over Europe in World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, several air medals and numerous other awards. On October 3, 1945 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain for his dedicated service to his country.

On September 10, 1945 he married the former Estella Adler. Mrs. Thomas died on July 31, 1994.

Also in 1945 he created a new subsidiary of the family business on Trenton Street having dealings in farm supplies, grain marketing and farm equipment sales.

In the late 1960’s he became engaged in farming and purchased farms on Egypt Road and Linkwood. He was deeply involved in land clearing, drainage and other conservation practices but never found the time to retire.

In 1970 he was elected as a Dorchester County Commissioner and in 1974 entered Maryland State Government as a Delegate to the General Assembly where he served until 1982.

Mr. Thomas was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Cambridge and had served as Vice President of the Baraca Class.

Mr. Thomas served as a director of the Dorchester General Hospital, Past Commodore and member of The Cambridge Yacht Club, Past President and member of the Cambridge Rotary Club and member of the Rescue Fire Company of Cambridge.

Besides his family, working and being an integral part of his community, he also liked to hunt and fish.

Surviving is his wife Frances L. Mills Thomas to whom he married June 3, 1995, a son Edward C. Thomas and his wife Freda of Cambridge, MD, three grandchildren Lisa Marie Keene, Kimberly Keene, Edward Cody Thomas, three great-grandchildren Edward Corey Keene, Stella Jane Thomas, Madeline Reed Thomas, three step-sons Larry L. Mills, John C. Mills, both of Cambridge and James F. Mills of Kennesaw, Georgia, a brother C. Mace Thomas of Cambridge and nieces and nephews Kent Thomas, Gage Thomas, Clarke Thomas and Diane Thomas.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, March 6th from 7 to 9 p.m. at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7th at Grace United Methodist Church, Cambridge. Officiating at the service will be The Rev. Jay Hurley, Pastor. Burial will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors on Monday, March 9th at 10:00 a.m.

Pallbearers for the funeral service on Saturday will be members of Rescue Fire Company, Cambridge. Pallbearers for the committal service on Monday will be family members.

The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made by sending flowers or making memorial offerings in Mr. Thomas’ memory to Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Race St., Cambridge, MD 21613.