Dr. Joseph Paul Thomas, proud former resident of both Fairhope and Mobile, Alabama, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on October 19, 2021. Dr. Thomas was born on October 11, 1947 in Biloxi, Mississippi, to William Lloyd Thomas and Myrtis Farmer Thomas. He grew up in Fairhope, Alabama alongside his five siblings.
As a child he loved being a Boy Scout and would quote the Scout’s motto of “Be Prepared,” well into adulthood. While a student at Fairhope High School, Joseph Paul, known then as “Paul” to family and friends, worked at Holland’s Pharmacy in Fairhope while also competing as a pole vaulter and serving as Student Council President. He was named a “Senior Favorite” by his classmates and received the Citizenship Award. Joseph Paul also was honored with the Sandy Hinnenger Award for “Outstanding Key Clubber in Alabama” 1964-1965.
Joseph Paul began his undergraduate studies at Mobile College, where he continued his penchant to lead by serving as President of his Freshman class and Chaplain of Circle-K. The next year he transferred to the University of Alabama, where he earned the American Studies Scholarship and graduated in 1968 with a B.A. in American Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences.
After college, Joseph Paul began his professional life as an educator. He initially taught high school in Gadsden, then moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he taught in Birmingham City Schools from 1969-1975. While working full time as a teacher, he earned his Master of the Arts in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
During his tenure at George Washington Carver High School in Birmingham, Joseph Paul remained an advocate and leader, serving as the Faculty Representative to the Alabama Education Association/National Education Association, the Treasurer of the Teacher Welfare Fund, and the Faculty Sponsor for the Student Council. He also worked as the Coordinator of the Executive High School Internship Program for Birmingham City Schools, and was named a Finalist in the “Outstanding Young Educator in Birmingham” Contest.
Teaching was fulfilling, but Joseph Paul felt called, or maybe even challenged, to make a change to what would ultimately become his professional passion: medicine. He then took on a full post-baccalaureate pre-medical curriculum at UAB while continuing to teach, and was then accepted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
After earning his medical degree from UAB, Joseph Paul trained in Psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. While at Johns Hopkins, he participated in an exchange program at the University of London and Maudesley Hospital, affording him a special training opportunity as a physician and a beloved and memorable experience for his family to live as Londoners for a while.
Upon returning to the States, Joseph Paul was intentional about returning to his Mobile-area roots, and eagerly started his own solo private practice as a psychiatrist. He earned his board certification in General Psychiatry from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, then, being a life-long learner with an ever-persistent love of a challenge, he later became board-certified in Geriatric Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, and Forensic Psychiatry, and he was also named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
With his fast-paced walk and signature bowtie, Dr. Joseph Paul Thomas cherished his patients and was passionate about improving the lives of people who were ill or suffering. He served as President of the Medical Society of Mobile and was an active member in the Lions Club of Mobile. He was a deacon at Government Street Presbyterian Church and volunteered regularly at Camp Rapahope during the summers. He was an avid supporter of the arts in Mobile and Fairhope, as well as a die-hard Alabama sports fan. He loved camping, fishing, cars, sailing, golf, and NPR, but most of all he loved his children.
Dr. Joseph Paul Thomas is survived by his three children and six grand-children: son Stephen Paul Thomas of Mobile, Alabama, his wife Anna, and granddaughters Pearl and Sawyer, daughter Ashlie Thomas Vieira, of Plano, Texas, her husband Daniel, and grandsons Thomas and William, and Emily Montgomery of Nashville, Tennessee, her husband Andrew, grandson Robert, and granddaughter Eliza. He is also survived by brothers Mr. Perry Thomas (Betty) of Fairhope, Dr. James Lloyd Thomas (Diane) of Montrose, and sister Mrs. Rachel Thomas Reves (Bart) of Van Cleave, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. William Lloyd Thomas, mother, Mrs. Myrtis Farmer Thomas, brother, Mr. William Harold Thomas, and sister, Mrs. Rebecca Thomas Sebring.
Visitation will be held on October 27, 2021 at 10:00 am with a memorial service to follow at 11:00, both at Government Street Presbyterian Church, 300 Government St., Mobile, Alabama. Immediately following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for lunch at the Lutz Bay House, 6859 Bay Rd Mobile 36605.
Memorials may be made to Rapahope Children’s Retreat Foundation, P.O. Box 1427, Mobile, Alabama, 36633 or online at rapahope.org. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
