Gerald Raymond Thomas

Gerald Raymond Thomas, 81, of Madison Heights, passed away on Monday, May 21, 2012 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the husband of Peggy Bryant Thomas for the past 60 loving years. Born October 21, 1930 in Elon, Gerry was the oldest son of Gerald James and Mildred Carpenter Thomas. He was a member of Sandy Bottom Christian Church in Madison Heights and a US Army veteran. Gerry played professional baseball for ten years in the Cardinals, Yankees, and Dodgers organizations. He taught Physical Education and coached baseball at Amherst County High School from 1964 – 1967 and then served as head Baseball Coach at Lynchburg College from 1968 through 1995 where his teams won over 600 games. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Dr. Randall W. Thomas and his wife Cindy of Luray; Janet T. Campbell and her husband Jerry of Amherst and James B. Thomas and his wife Pam of Amherst; one brother, N.J. Thomas of Madison Heights; six grandchildren, Katie Giles and her husband Eric of New Bern, NC, Kelly Garner and her husband Jeff of Mechanicsville, Jake Campbell and his wife Jennifer of Amherst, Jaime Campbell of Chapel Hill, NC, Jodie Campbell of Amherst and Chrisie Thomas of Amherst and four great granddaughters. Gerry dearly loved his family and all the good times they had together. He loved playing with his grandchildren as they grew up and more recently his great granddaughters. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 Noon Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Whitten Monelison Chapel with the Rev. Jim Freeman and The Reverand Dr. Michael Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. today at Whitten Monelison Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Monelison Rescue Squad, Monelison Volunteer Fire Department or Sandy Bottom Christian Church.