James Harold Thomas

James Harold Thomas passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center. Harold was born on March 2, 1926, in Union Co., NC, to the late Tommy Luther Thomas and Pett Lenoir Wright Thomas. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Jewell Hamilton Thomas. He is survived by his son, James Donald Thomas and wife Elizabeth, of Fairview; two daughters, Sheri Moorrees and husband Frans, of Arden, and Teresa Butcher and husband Bob, of Fletcher; seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Bernice Davis, of Charlotte, and Barbara Ann Dennis and husband Bobby, of Statesville. Harold was a very active member of Grassy Branch Baptist Church for over 46 years. He served as a deacon for 10 years and as a Sunday School Superintendent, a chairman for the church's first budget, and on the Search Committee for two pastors. Harold was a U.S. Army veteran. He served in World War II, stationed in Germany from 1945-1947. After his years of service, he was employed in the transportation industry for 41 years with Fredrickson Motor Express before retiring. A funeral service for Mr. Thomas will be on Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Grassy Branch Baptist Church with Revs. Ken Sausedo and Roy Kilby officiating. His family will receive friends for one hour prior to that service. A private interment will take place at Lewis Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center, P.O. Box 25331, Asheville, NC 28813 or to Grassy Branch Baptist Church, 499 Riceville Rd., Asheville, NC 28805. Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. is assisting the family.