Robert L. ‘Bob’ Thomas, age 87, of Feldspar Street in Spruce Pine, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.
Born on January 13, 1936 in Altoona, PA, he was the son of the late Harry Arthur Thomas and the late Virginia Mahulm Thomas. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Verden Smith.
Robert attended Pittsburg Institute of Aeronautics, completing PIA’s Airframe and Powerplant course and receiving his mechanic’s certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration after serving nine years in the U.S. Air Force as a B-47 and B-52 crew chief.
He worked as a line mechanic and maintenance foreman for Eastern Airlines until the company ceased operations in 1991. Subsequently, he held supervisory positions with several aircraft companies and also enjoyed working as a commercial dump truck driver.
Robert enjoyed general aviation as a private pilot and mechanics, model railroading, farm tractors, and fishing. He married Clarice M. Jarvis and they had two children; Robert and Andrea.
Left to cherish his memory is his first wife; Clarice Thomas; his son; Robert Gregory Thomas and wife, Stephanie of Seattle, WA; his daughter; Andrea M. Frady and husband, Martin of Spruce Pine, NC; there are five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
A time to support the family, share memories and receive friends will be on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm in the chapel of Webb Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 20, 2023 in the Chapel of Webb Funeral Home with Rev. Gene Self officiating. Following the funeral service, Mr. Thomas will be taken to Reade, PA for interment in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to: St. Jude Children’s Hospital. www.stjude.org
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to the website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Robert L. ‘Bob’ Thomas’ name and then you may sign his guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Thomas and is honored to be serving the Thomas family.
Mr. Thomas’ obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing
