Phil Thomas Obituary (1924 - 2017)

Philip Edward Thomas, 92, of Madisonville, passed away March 18, 2017 at the Joseph "Eddie" Ballard Veterans Center in Hanson, KY. He was born in Livermore, KY on October 2, 1924. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert F. and Lidia Thomas of Livermore, KY; one sister, Helen Boykin; four brothers; Fred Thomas of Livermore, Vernon Thomas of Columbus OH, Chester Thomas of Huntingburg, IN and Hubert S. Thomas of Livermore. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Sue (Eva Sue Thomas), three sons, Philip E. (Kenya) Thomas II of Madisonville, Chester M. ( Jennifer) Thomas of Hanson and Craig T. ( Kathy) Thomas of Owensboro. Six grandsons, Trey Thomas, Richard (Stephanie) Thomas, Ches Thomas, Ben Thomas, Carson Thomas and Cooper Thomas. Two Great Granddaughter's Rhaelee and Georgia Thomas and several nieces and nephews. Thomas was a man of Methodist faith. Thomas was WWII Veteran, serving in the USMC,2nd Div. and fought in the Battle for Tarawa, in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, where he received the Purple Heart. Prior to serving his country he attended the University of Kentucky where he kept the score book for Adolf Rupp. He was a graduate of Bowling Green Business College. He was known as a great accountant and a man of meaningful values. He worked with the Brown Badgett organization, Clyde Brown Jr. Green River Coal Co., and Cochise Coal Co. Thomas was the owner of Phil Thomas Insurance Co., in Greenville, KY and was an initial member of the Board of Directors for the First United Bank in Madisonville, KY. Thomas was a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a member of the ELKS and a devout UK Fan, both Football and Basketball and a member of the Blue and White Fund. He was a thoroughbred horse owner and breeder. Funeral services will be held at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home in Madisonville, KY on Wednesday, March 22 at 12:00 P.M. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 21 and on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. Burial will be at the KY Veterans' Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, KY at 2:00 P.M. The family would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt prayers and the many condolences, the incredible loving staff and caregivers at the Joseph "Eddie" Ballard Veterans Center and a special thanks to Mr. Phil's personal caregivers Delilah and Jeremy. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the First United Methodist Church, 200 E. Center St. Madisonville, KY 42431, Patrick Rudd Project 150 YMCA Dr. Madisonville, KY 42431, or the Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Boulevard, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, California 92057. Envelopes will be made available at the funeral home.