Orville Thomas

Mr. Orville J. "O.J." Thomas, 80, of Enterprise Road, Lexington, went to be with the Lord Thursday, March 23, 2006, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home after a long bout with a heart infection. Mr. Thomas was born Oct. 12, 1925, in Fayette County, Pa. After completing his schooling, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where he was employed by the U.S. government. He served in the U.S. Navy and saw a big part of the Normandy Invasion during World War II. Mr. Thomas retired from the U.S. Army Communications Command at Ft. Richie, Md., in May of 1983. The family later moved to Florida and after a short stay, they moved to North Carolina. Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister. Surviving are his loving wife of 50-plus years, Eloise Dixon Thomas; a son, David Thomas, and his wife, Pam, of Maryland; three grandchildren; and a sister, Joan Whitaker, of Virginia. A funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Union Grove Baptist Church, where he was a member, with Pastor Ken Harris, Pastor Harold Fletcher and the Rev. T.W. Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, March 25, at Davidson Funeral Home Hickory Tree Chapel, and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.