Walter Lee Thomas Jr.

Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.

Mr. Thomas died Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at Madison Hospital.

He was born Dec. 27, 1935, in Limestone County to Walter Thomas Sr. and Clara Young Thomas. Mr. Thomas was a member of Oakland Church of Christ. He made his living as a carpenter, working construction on many buildings in Athens, Decatur and Huntsville. Buddy was a humble, gentle giant who never met a stranger and always had a story to share with anyone who would listen. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-granddaughter, Jasmine Howard.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma Thomas of Athens; two daughters, Karen Howard and husband Roger of Rogersville, and Velma Lovell and husband John of Athens; a son, Gregory Thomas and wife Sharon of Athens; grandchildren, Mandy Nickens (Shannon), Clint Howard, Erica Lovell, Emily Lovell, Justin Thomas and Jordan Thomas; great-grandchildren, Zakary Griffin, Cheyenne Griffin and Kayti Howard; three sisters, Dorothy Clem of Cleveland Ohio, Marnez Adams of Athens and Josephine Davis of Trinity; two brothers, Donnie Thomas of Lakeland, Fla., and Curtis Thomas of Ardmore; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Long, Wesley Long, Kirk Long, Marlon Long, Stanley Ball and Steve Ball.