Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Marvin L. "Tom" Thomas Jr., 71

REHOBOTH BEACH - Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Marvin L. Thomas Jr. of Rehoboth Beach passed away Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 71.

Mr. Thomas was born in Washington, son of the late Lt. Col. Marvin and Mary (Govatos) Thomas.

The family moved to Wilmington, where he attended Christ Our King Grammar School and Salesianum School, and Sullivan School in Washington.

Mr. Thomas, upon graduation, received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from the late Delaware U.S. Sens. J. Allen Frear and John J. Williams, and graduated with the class of 1959. As a military officer, he served honorably in the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, served two tours in Vietnam and was with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and was an instructor in the Portuguese Language Department at the military academy, and graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Prior to his military retirement in 1981, he was professor of military science at Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne, Pa.

He and his family moved to Tinton Falls, N.J., where he was the managing director of the BDM Corp. office at Fort Monmouth. Upon his retirement, the family made their home in Rehoboth Beach, where he became a Realtor with Doug Davis Realty, ERA and Coldwell Banker.

Mr. Thomas was a member of the West Point Society of Sussex County, Del., Rehoboth Beach Country Club, Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Retired Officers Association (Military Officers Association of America).

He is survived, and will be sadly missed, by his loving wife of 48 years, Marion Thomas; his son, Dr. Marvin L. Thomas III, of Bowie, Md., his son and his wife, Michael Scott and Christina Thomas of Rehoboth Beach; his daughter, Lisa A. Thomas of Milton; four grandchildren, Laura Thomas, Marvin L. Thomas IV, and twins, Scott Thomas and Hank Thomas; a sister, Rosemary Letonoff of New Port Richey, Fla.; a cousin, Jane Govatos of Lewes; and three nephews, Victor Letonoff, Lars Letonoff and Dr. Eric Letonoff, and their families.

Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Friday in St. Edmond"s Catholic Church, King Charles and Laurel streets, Rehoboth Beach.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Delaware Chapter, Two Mill Road, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Condolences may be sent to: condolences@parsellfuneralhomes.com.