Joseph “Mighty Fine” Thomas (aka Skip) of Mechanicsville, MD died on February 10th, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Joseph “Skip” Thomas was born at home in Charlotte Hall, Maryland to the late Ralph Kelly Thomas Sr. and Mary Louise Butler Thomas on May 21st, 1944. He was one of seven children.
Skip graduated from Banneker High School in Loveville, Maryland in 1962 and then joined the U.S. Army in 1965. He studied central office switching equipment in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Afterward, he then transferred to North Electric Company in Gallon, Ohio for more specialized training. During his time in the military, he was assigned to the MACV headquarters in Saigon, Vietnam, where he completed a one-year tour before returning stateside. He was later called back to Vietnam to help with a downed signal line and remained there for nine more months before being assigned to the 593rd Signal Battalion in Huachuca, Arizona. In September 1970, Skip was honorably discharged from the Army and returned home to St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
In the fall of 1971, Skip met the love of his life Ann Christine Thomas at the Sunoco gas station in Hughesville. They were married on June 24, 1972, in Bryantown, Maryland. Together they celebrated more than 50 wonderful years of marriage.
Skip was a man of many professions. He owned and operated a school bus company for more than 45 years. He spent more than 20 years working for the federal government at Indian Head, Maryland. After a brief break, he went back to Indian Head working for LBM, Inc as a heavy equipment operator and then for VSE Corp. as a Lead Contamination Supervisor until his recent illness.
If you knew Skip, he was always doing something. He was a true jack-of-all-trades. Whether he was working on buses, cars, motorcycles, houses, or anything that needed fixing, you could always find a smile on his face. He enjoyed hand dancing with his wife, bowling, attending family gatherings, fishing, camping, and catnapping to recharge. Skip was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church in Mechanicsville, Maryland serving as a lector, choir member, and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He was also a proud member of the Knights of St. John. Skip was a beloved husband, father, friend, and member of his community.
In addition to his beloved wife, Ann, Skip is survived by his children: Carl C. Thomas (Gwen) of Fort Worth, Texas, Joseph A. Thomas (Julie) of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and Kelly D. Thomas (Shannon) of Bel Air, Maryland; his grandchildren: Brianna Thomas, Michael Thomas, Ciara Thomas, Marcus Thomas, Anthony Thomas, Samantha Thomas, Aliya Thomas, Carter Thomas, and Jaxson Thomas; his great-grandchildren, Adalina Hernandez, Sebastian Hernandez, and Milo Thomas; brothers, Ralph K. Thomas (Ruth), Ignatius A. Thomas (Priscilla), Ronald K. Thomas; sisters, Joyce L. Thomas, Janice L. Tenant (James), and Jean L. Adams as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Family and friends will unite on Monday, February 20, 2023, for visitation from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception Church, 28297 Old Village Rd. Mechanicsville, Maryland. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, 26325 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, Maryland.
Condolences can be made to Briscoe-Tonic funeral home.
Acknowledgments
The Thomas family sincerely thanks all of you for your love, support, encouraging words, gifts, cards, acts of kindness, and most of all your prayers.
Offer Condolence for the family of Joseph Carl Deruyter Thomas
The Roubachesky family is saddened to learn of the demise of your beloved husband and father. A wonderful gentleman of faith and an example to others is how we remember Mr. Thomas. You and he are in our prayers.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
(I am niece to Dora J Douglas, friend to Joyce.)
To the Family of Mighty Fine,
Continue to reflect on the many fond moments for they have now become priceless memories.
My last encounter with him, he was excited about his milestone anniversary and the anticipated celebration of the road-trip with his family. Such a wonderful man who always blessed you with his smile.
My condolences to each of you.
Peace, comfort and love!
God’s blessings,
Crystal Keys-Mason
May God bless the family he was a real hard worker and a very friendly person who would do anything for you may God bless you
To Bishop Abraham Thomasand the breaved family of Joseph Carl Deruyter Thomas.
We extend our sincere condolences. Being confident of this : that the God of all confort releases to you great peace and appropriate comfort at this time of loss. Much love!
Pastor Les and Rebecca Sims and the Living Waters Christian Fellowship Family, Columbus, Ohio.
Rest in Heaven Unk! See you when we get there!!!!
~Nephew Corey
To the family: my sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family. Skip was a WONDERFUL person and will be missed by all us who grew up with him and attended Banneker High School. May God bless all of you.
Rendering my respects to the Thomas family. May God send his peace and comfort, during this time of bereavement.
To the Family of Joseph (Skip) Thomas
Ann and Kids we are so sorry for the loss of Skip. Our prayers and condolences goes out to you and the family. Skip will be dearly missed, he was a very kind friendly person and always had a big smile on his face whenever you saw him. May he rest in peace with the Lord. May God grant you and the family peace and comfort through this sorrowful time. God Be with you all!
So sorry for your loss. I remember him at church. I always thought my what a beautiful couple. My prayers are with his wife and family.
My Prayers and Condolences goes out to Ann and her family for the lost of Skip, he will be truly miss by so many. He always kept a smile on his face. Rest in Heavenly Paradise Joseph aka Skip.
So sorry Ann Skip was a great guy if any thing I can do please let me no you and your family are in my prayers Julie send,s her prayers too
It was always a pleasure to have a conversation with Mr. Thomas. He was a great man! Wishing Ann and family peace during this difficult time.
Ann,sending my heartfelt condolences,to you and your family.may he rest in the arm of our savior.
Kelly, Shannon and the boys, we are truly sorry for the loss of Mr. Joseph. He was a wonderful man. There was never a time that he wasn’t laughing and showing that famous Thomas smile. He welcomed Allan and I with open arms. God bless Mrs. Ann in her time of need and rest in peace Mr. Joseph.
Deepest sympathies,
Allan and Debby Yeager
What a beautifully written Obituary for such a sweet person who I’ve always can remember having a smile on his face. All my memories of Mrs Ann & Joseph have been through the buses & they both had warm smiles & great kindness towards people when they spoke to you . My condolences to Mrs Ann & family & friends .
May Joseph Rest In Peace
Ciara and family we are sorry for the loss of your love one. You are in our prayers. Love Juanita and Tanae Butler
To the Thomas family I am so sorry for your loss. I know that Joseph will be missed by so many. Thank you Joseph (Skip) Thomas for being such an amazing and loving grandfather to my son Michael Thomas. You meant so much to him and he will truly miss you.
to:mrs. Ann an the children i am so sorry for your lost :he waill be miss for sure an he was a wonerful person inside out an he was funny and he was always messing aroun with my boys he love them dearly as well when they use to come to church !but once again i am sorry for your lost and i am sending my prayers and love to the family!