Born on the barn side of Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY on May 1, 1958 to Earl E. Thomas III and the late Beverly C. Collins. He attended De Salle Cathedral School and Regional Electronic Training School in Louisville, KY. Earl moved to NC with Nortel in 1984. He was a Sr. Technical Support Engineer with Oracle at his death.
Earl loved boating and camping here at Jordan Lake and Lake Cumberland in KY, University of Louisville and Duke basketball and football, NASCAR and his GTO. He loved music, concerts, and dancing, especially at Mel’s Papa Mojo’s. Earl was a frequent visitor to the DPAC and the Durham Bulls, all the music venues and both Durham and Raleigh downtown restaurants. Famous for his annual Kentucky Derby Party in May, he loved a good oyster roast and roaring fire pits. But what he loved most, was his family and friends. There has never been a more generous and giving person.
Earl and Debbie dated for 10 years. On a recent trip to Gatlinburg, TN, they teased each other when they saw a wedding chapel. Plans were tentative for Fall, 2015.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dorothy and Earl Thomas II.
Earl is survived by his fiancé, Deborah T. Johnson; former wife, Renae Worthy; sons, Michael Thomas (Larishia) and Scott Thomas; grandsons, Jacob Thomas-Willoughby and Jordon Thomas; expected granddaughter, Chayla Thomas; father, Earl E. Thomas III; stepmother, Barbara Thomas; siblings, Debra LeFave (Carl), Angie Wade (Jason), Jennifer Welch (Chris), and Steve Thomas (Kim); numerous nieces and nephews; one great niece; goddaughter, Nicole Groft; and godson, Seth Wade. He is also survived by Debbie’s daughters, Julia Szeto (Michael) and Jayne Miano (Nick); and Jayne's children, Noah and Arabelle.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 27, 2014 from 6-8pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.
A funeral service will be held 2:00pm Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the funeral home. He will be cremated and then laid to rest at Louisville Memorial Gardens at a later date.
Donations can be made in his memory to Carolina Raptor Center for the love of Jordan Lake eagles: www.carolinaraptorcenter.org
Live Life Large
~ Dammit Earl
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