WINGATE, N.C. — Richard Truman Thomas, 65, died Aug. 19, 2012.

Funeral services were at Wingate Community Church of God.

Thomas was born in Union County, N.C., on Jan. 27, 1947, to the late Rev. James Albert Thomas Jr. and the late Mary Ann Sturdivant Thomas. He received his education in the East Union School, Marshville, N.C. There he was one of the top artists. He was noted with the ability to draw pictures on anything or anyone including the principal. His musical ability was greatly enhanced by this early beginning in the Glee Club.

As a child Thomas, like his siblings, sat around on Sunday afternoons singing as taught by his parents after they came home from church at the Cross Road AME Zion. After meeting the love his life, hew was married to Laouvenia Lee. To this union, three children were born. He worked 42 years at Monroe Motor Company and Gay Chevrolet in Marshville, N.C. His hobbies consisted of fishing, singing, and watching westerns. He was a devoted family man that always had a positive attitude for life. He always said, “No matter what, treat everybody the way you would want them to treat you.”

He leaves to cherish and remember him always, his wife Louvenia Lee Thomas, two daughters, Wanda Ann Thomas of Ruby, S.C., and Melinda L. Rose (Clifton) of Pageland, S.C., and one son, Richard Marcus (Regina) Thomas of Wingate; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Two sisters Arden Virginia Thomas Allen of Lexington, N.C., and Joyce Rose Thomas Wilson (Aaron) of Monroe, N.C. Three brothers; James Albert Thomas, Jr. (Mary) of Raeford, N.C., Carrol Thomas of Marshville, N.C., and Harold Bovand Thomas (Carolyn) of Wingate. Eight sisters-in-laws, and three brother-in-laws, a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Beatrice Thomas Huntley and Norma Jean T. March; five brothers; Crenzel, Silas Lee, Milas Lee, Walter Floyd and William (Bill) Thomas.

Flemming Funeral Home served the family.