Benjamin Thomas

Capt. Benjamin G. Thomas, USMC, Retired Born May 25, 1930 in Lizemores, WV, he was the son of the late William M. (Mac) Thomas and Mayflower Ramsey Thomas Rider. He lived his early life in Clay County WV and attended Clay County High School. He and his wife of 46 years, Marjorie A. Thomas (Smith), were married April 4, 1958 in Clay. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 30 years (23 years active duty and 7 years in the Fleet Reserve) from 1946 to 1977. He served in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. During his career, he had overseas assignments in Europe aboard the USS Kearsarge on occupation duty in France, Italy, Africa, Algeria, Greece, and Libya. He had overseas assignments in Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. State-side assignments were Parris Island, SC, Camp Lejeune, NC, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, Quantico, VA, El Toro, CA, and Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, GA. He enlisted as a Private, advanced to the rank of Master Sergeant, and was appointed to 2nd Lieutenant during the Vietnam War. He retired with the rank of Captain. He was the recipient of the following: Navy Achievement Medal, Vietnam Combat Action Medal, Navy Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal with 6 Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Medal with E Clasp, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Star, Korean Service Medal with 3 Stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation. After USMC retirement, he worked for Earle M. Jorgensen Steel Company (retired) for 13 years and Alro Steel Company for 6 years. He retired in 1992. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Mountain Home, Semper Fidelis Masonic Lodge 680 of Jacksonville, NC, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, Valley of Chicago, MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), Heroes of 76 (Masonic Officers), Hoevel-Barnett VFW Post 1341, Twin Lakes Marines and Fraternal Order of Eagles Twin Lakes Aerie No. 3183. Survivors: In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons: Benjamin Jr. of Kansas City, MO and Jeffrey and wife Angela of Saluda, NC; three grandchildren: Jayli, India, and Jericho Thomas; sisters: Patricia Igo and Jane Bird; brother: Billy Barker. Preceded in Death by: He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, and 1 brother. Visitation: Visitation will be from 6:00 Â? 9:00 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11 in Clay Funeral: Funeral services will be Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004 at the Carl Wilson Funeral Home in Clay, WV. Burial: Boggs Family Cemetery at Big Otter, WV Memorials: First Baptist Church