DOVER - Alfred Bailey Thomas passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at Kent General Hospital.
Mr. Thomas was born Jul. 7, 1925, at home on the family farm in Dover, to the late Alfred B. Thomas and Helen Bancroft Thomas.
He served two years in the United States Army in the Pacific and Japan, and three years in the Army Air Corps in Dover. Mr. Thomas retired after working for Del-Mar Appliance as an appliance technician. He had also owned his own appliance repair business, "Appliance Services, Inc." Mr. Thomas was a charter member and a Deacon of Christ Memorial Baptist Church in Dover. He was a Life Member of the Camden-Wyoming Fire Company, where he had been at one time the Chaplin and Ambulance Captain. He was a member of Gideon's International, where he had also served as Chaplin. Mr. Thomas had a strong work ethic, enjoyed telling a good joke (badly), woodworking, reading, spending time with church and family, making new friends and putting together jigsaw puzzles.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Gloria Thomas; and his brothers, Frank B. Thomas, Charles Thomas and Samuel Thomas.
He is survived by children, Phyllis Glass (Dennis), of Harrington, Alfred B. Thomas, III (Andi), of Clear Springs, Md., Deb Valainis (George), of Stevensville, Md., and Pauline Wikso (Bob), of Camden; in addition to numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Interment will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Rd., Bear.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Christ Memorial Baptist Church, 1160 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, DE 19901; Gideon's International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800; or Camden-Wyoming Fire Company, 200 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Camden, DE 19934.
Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com