Robert Carl “Bob” Thomas, age 90, of Burnsville, North Carolina passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, with his family near his side. A native of Watauga County, he was born on January 18th, 1936 to the late Hubert Glenn Thomas and Sarah Jane Johnson Thomas. Bob was also preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Mary Evangeline “Van” Thomas who passed away in January 2023; his brother, Clint Thomas; and his sisters: Cleo Thomas Bently and Shirley Thomas Brown.
Bob was a proud Veteran, having served three years in the Unites States Army. He was a graduate of the University of Miami, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Justice Academy and the John E. Reid School of Polygraph.
At the time of his death, Bob had been a Certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of North Carolina since 1959. After returning home from his military service, Bob taught History and Political Science at Cove Creek High School in Watauga County during the week and worked the afternoon and weekend shift as a Police Officer for the Town of Boone, N.C.
In 1966 he was appointed Chief of Police at Appalachian State University by Governor Dan Moore. In 1969 he was appointed as a Special Agent of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and graduated from the very first academy taught. His first duty assignment was in Burke County where he remained for five years. In 1974 Bob was assigned to Yancey, Mitchell and Madison Counties to assist local law enforcement agencies. He retired from the State Bureau of Investigation in 1986 and served as Chief Deputy for Sheriff Kermit Banks from 1990 until 1995. He remained a Reserve Deputy in Yancey County until the time of his passing; having served under Sheriff Kermit Banks, Sheriff Gary Banks and Sheriff Shane Hilliard.
Left to cherish his memory and continue his legacy is his loving daughter, Vanessa Thomas Fox, of Newdale; grandchildren: Robert Fox and wife, April of Bakersville and Keisha Chrisawn and husband, Kris of Possum Trot; great- grandchildren: Landon, Jocelyn, Katelyn and Karter; sisters Reba Thomas Hoges of Sugar Grove NC and Linda Thomas Farmer of Mtn. City TN; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews as well as countless friends.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 5th, 2026 at Victory Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. prior to the services at the church. Rev. Barry Jenkins and Special Friend and Chaplain Steve Enlo will officiate. The Yancey County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard will conduct full law enforcement honors during the visitation and funeral services. A private graveside service will be held in the Glenn-Greer Cemetery in Sugar Grove, NC with Rev. Barry Jenkins officiating.
In addition to the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, Retired Yancey County Sheriff Kermit Banks and Retired North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Agent Bruce Jarvis will serve as special pall bearers as well as Thomas Farmer, Edward Farmer and Retired Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks. All current Yancey County Law Enforcement Officers alongside of both active and retired North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Agents will serve as honorary pallbearers.
At the conclusion of the funeral services at the church, the funeral procession will be escorted by Yancey County Sheriff’s Department back to Yancey Funeral Services where Bob will remain until he is escorted back to Watauga County for the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victory Baptist Church at 1215 Bear Wallow Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714 To send online condolences, please visit www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
