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Celebrating the life of
Donald A. (Don) Thomas
March 09, 1940 - July 13, 2019
Savannah- Donald A. (Don) Thomas passed away Saturday, July 13, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. His death was a result of complications due to cancer.
He was born March 9, 1940 in Miami, FL. His parents, John H. Thomas and Julia I. Thomas of Panama City, FL, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pauline Kessler Thomas. Their children, Mark Thomas (Angela) of Richmond Hill, GA and Kathy Thomas Ledesma (Emilio) of Concord, CA, and three granddaughters: Victoria Thomas, Julia Thomas and Mariela Kate Ledesma. One brother, John H. Thomas (Mary) of Pensacola, FL and a sister, Dianne Thomas French of Pooler, GA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He and his wife were long-time members of the Central Church of Christ at 632 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah, where he served as Treasurer for several terms. Don graduated from Georgia Military Academy, College Park, GA in 1958. He attended Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, FL for a brief period before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1960. Don joined First Bank of Savannah on September 26, 1969, as a consumer loan officer. Over the next 40 years he was credit department manager, branch manager and business banking relationship manager. He retired March 2009, as a Senior Vice President in Wachovia’s Community Banking Department. Don graduated from the Graduate School of Retail Bank Management at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA in 1984.
Don served on several non-profit boards’ of directors such as the Humane Society of Savannah, the Economic Authority of Savannah (EOA) and the Multiple Sclerosis Society where he served as Treasurer for a number of years.
Don devoted his life to his family and his church family.
He enjoyed his retirement by going to exercise class with friends at Silver Sneakers, reading, oil painting and playing golf with the Henderson Golf Club blitz or with his friends at LaVida and Bacon Park Golf Clubs.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
The memorial service will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Central Church of Christ. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be private.
Praying for you and family
- Tom & Bettie Kessler, Victor, WV
My sincere condolences to the Thomas family. It was my great pleasure to work with Don as the credit officer on his commercial loans for several years at Wachovia Bank. He was great to work with and I enjoyed my time with him. Don was the consummate account officer! He worked equally hard for his customers and the bank. Know that all of his work family will miss him greatly. Warm regards, Hamp
- Hampton Vining, Augusta , GA
Sincere condolences to Don’s family. Don was an absolute prince of a man - a gentleman’s gentleman and a banker’s banker. A Great American.
- Skip Watson, North Augusta, SC
We were so sad to hear of Mr. Thomas’s passing. Our sincerest condolences for the loss of such caring and gentle man. Don was such an amazing person, full of warmth and compassion and it was my honor to get to know him and Polly these last months. The girls and I will remember him in prayer and thanksgiving for his well lived life!
- The Eyster Family, Savannah, GA
I was so pleased when Don called me to teach an oil painting class. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him in the class. I believe he has left a few paintings as his creative legacy. He was one of my favorite people, such a genuinely nice man. From what I've heard, he is enjoying the most awesome colors in his new home!
- Dell Belew, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to hear of Don's passing. I always enjoyed the time we spent around both of you at various parties and family functions at Mark and Angela's home. I was so glad to see you both at Tori's graduation party last year. May he rest in peace now and let us celebrate his full and giving life.
- Eric and Julie Austin, Aledo, TX
So sorry to hear of his passing Worked together many years ago.
- Sue Hagins, Savannah, Ga
Don was a very sweet and loving man that I had the great pleasure of knowing. He and Polly were among some of the first people I got to meet and know when I first moved to Savannah in 1994. He was a wonderful man and he will be missed. Polly, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers for comfort through this time of transition. We will see him again someday and oh what a WONDERFUL day that will be.
- Paula Reinitz (Wooten), Savannah, GA
We are so sad to hear of Don’s passing but comforted to know he has overcome the struggles of his illness. We will keep you in our prayers and hope to see you in the coming year.
- Lee and Diana Stilwell , ,
I hope there's a golf course in Heaven because I know Don will be asking for a tee time very shortly. I've known and respected Don for many years and thank him for "adopting" me into his family. My condolences to Polly, Mark an Cathy.
- Ric Norton, Dover, DE
We are so thankful for the time we had in knowing Don; however, it was too short. He will remain in our hearts as an example of a Christian. Our prayer is that the memories you have will comfort you and bring you a sense of peace.
- Don and Dee Votaw, Hardeeville , SC
Praying for you and family
- Tom & Bettie Kessler, Victor, WV
My sincere condolences to the Thomas family. It was my great pleasure to work with Don as the credit officer on his commercial loans for several years at Wachovia Bank. He was great to work with and I enjoyed my time with him. Don was the consummate account officer! He worked equally hard for his customers and the bank. Know that all of his work family will miss him greatly. Warm regards, Hamp
- Hampton Vining, Augusta , GA
Sincere condolences to Don’s family. Don was an absolute prince of a man - a gentleman’s gentleman and a banker’s banker. A Great American.
- Skip Watson, North Augusta, SC
We were so sad to hear of Mr. Thomas’s passing. Our sincerest condolences for the loss of such caring and gentle man. Don was such an amazing person, full of warmth and compassion and it was my honor to get to know him and Polly these last months. The girls and I will remember him in prayer and thanksgiving for his well lived life!
- The Eyster Family, Savannah, GA
I was so pleased when Don called me to teach an oil painting class. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him in the class. I believe he has left a few paintings as his creative legacy. He was one of my favorite people, such a genuinely nice man. From what I've heard, he is enjoying the most awesome colors in his new home!
- Dell Belew, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to hear of Don's passing. I always enjoyed the time we spent around both of you at various parties and family functions at Mark and Angela's home. I was so glad to see you both at Tori's graduation party last year. May he rest in peace now and let us celebrate his full and giving life.
- Eric and Julie Austin, Aledo, TX
So sorry to hear of his passing Worked together many years ago.
- Sue Hagins, Savannah, Ga
Don was a very sweet and loving man that I had the great pleasure of knowing. He and Polly were among some of the first people I got to meet and know when I first moved to Savannah in 1994. He was a wonderful man and he will be missed. Polly, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers for comfort through this time of transition. We will see him again someday and oh what a WONDERFUL day that will be.
- Paula Reinitz (Wooten), Savannah, GA
We are so sad to hear of Don’s passing but comforted to know he has overcome the struggles of his illness. We will keep you in our prayers and hope to see you in the coming year.
- Lee and Diana Stilwell , ,
I hope there's a golf course in Heaven because I know Don will be asking for a tee time very shortly. I've known and respected Don for many years and thank him for "adopting" me into his family. My condolences to Polly, Mark an Cathy.
- Ric Norton, Dover, DE
We are so thankful for the time we had in knowing Don; however, it was too short. He will remain in our hearts as an example of a Christian. Our prayer is that the memories you have will comfort you and bring you a sense of peace.
- Don and Dee Votaw, Hardeeville , SC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
