Vincent Thomas

Vincent Monroe Thomas was born on Tuesday, March 19, 1940, in Hurlock, Maryland, and departed this life on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at his home in Odenton, Maryland. He was the seventh and last child born to the late Charles Wesley and Maria Thomas, and was 72 years of age at the time of his passing. He received his early education in the public schools of Hurlock, Maryland, and completed his studies in 1958 at Mace’s Lane High School, Cambridge, Maryland. On October 6, 1962, he married Mildred Olivia Murray and from that union two (2) daughters, Vanessa and Latonya, were born. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He also gave his love and unwavering support to his family. He was a motivator and mentor for the entire family, as well as the family spokesman. He gave of himself unselfishly and without hesitation, and was a man of his word. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 19, 1960, and retired on June 30, 1984. He served three (3) tours in Vietnam. He was among the most outstanding soldiers of his era, earning many decorations including three (3) Bronze Stars and retiring as one of the great “First Sergeants” of the U.S. Army. He and the family traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad during his military career. Vincent entered his second government career with the U.S. Postal Service in Baltimore, Maryland as a Mail Handler from November 22, 1986 until his retirement on March 22, 2002. He was an indispensable member, tireless volunteer and organizer to many organizations and clubs such as the Triple Nickel - 555th Parachute Infantry, The Retired Enlisted Association, The Fellas, Cedar Meadows Rod and Gun Club, West County Democratic Club, Ravens Roost 35, African American Patriots Consortium, and the Wooden Nickel, just to name a few. His parents, a brother, William Thomas; two (2) sisters, Virginia Cooper and Annie Murray along with her husband George Murray; his father-in-law, Floyd Murray; and a sister-in-law, Mary Rachel Thomas preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 50 years, Mildred Thomas, Odenton, Maryland; two (2) daughters, Vanessa Stevens (Robert), Glen Burnie, Maryland and Latonya Thomas-Gadson, Odenton, Maryland; two (2) granddaughters, Nikkie Stevens and Olivia Gadson; a brother, Henry Thomas; two (2) sisters Vietta Allen and Velma Gibbs, all of Hurlock, Maryland; a sister-in-law Ann Thomas, Federalsburg, Maryland; his mother in-law Mildred Murray, Petersburg, Maryland, four (4) sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mae Autrey (Marzelle), Hurlock, Maryland, Lauretta Thomas (Thurman), Baltimore, Maryland, Rosalind Jones (Emerson), Petersburg, Maryland and Floydette Gibson (Kevin), Los Angeles, California; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Vincent Thomas

March 19, 1940 - December 23, 2012