Paul Thomas

GOREVILLE, Ill. -- Paul Vincent Thomas, 75, of Goreville passed away Friday, April 28, 2006, at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Marion, Ill.

He was born on May 11, 1930, in Miller City, Ill., son of Calvin Marion and Francis Alma Dodson Thomas.

Thomas was a veteran of the United States Air Force. At the time of his retirement, he was manager of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau.

He was a past president of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. He was the founder and first president of the Mount Vernon Rams Gridiron Club. He was instrumental in fund-raising and the construction of the main grandstand on the east side of the football field at Mount Vernon Township High School.

He was also a volunteer for the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Recently he was awarded the President's Call to Service Award. This award was given by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas Lynn and Susan Thomas of Benton, Ky., Vincent Todd and Lee Thomas of Gibson City, Ill.; grandsons, Cole, Luke, Cameron and Jacob Thomas; sisters, Helen Pearman of Cape Girardeau, Jessie and Carl Meurn of New Port Richey, Fla.; brothers, Vernon Lloyd "Jack" and Genevieve Thomas of Miller City, Ill., Bobbie and Loretta Thomas of Olive Branch, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. today at the Blue Funeral Home in Goreville.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Mounds National Cemetery in Mounds with Brother Alan Miller officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Friends of Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, Ill. 62959.