Suffolk – Horace Randolph Thomas, 93, died January 19, 2009. He was born in Southampton County, a son of the late Peter and Mary Wynne Thomas. He was a graduate of Drewryville High School and attended the University of Richmond. An Army veteran of WW II, he received his B. S. degree from Virginia Tech and his M. S. degree from North Carolina State University. Mr. Thomas was a teacher in Nansemond County for 3 years, did swine research for Virginia Tech for 32 years, and retired in 1980 as an associate professor. Mr. Thomas served on the Suffolk Planning Commission for four years and was a Trustee, Deacon, and served on the Stewardship Committee of Holland Baptist Church. He was a member of the Whaleyville Masonic Lodge and Holland Ruritan Club.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Virginia Cole Thomas; two daughters, Rebecca T. England and husband, James of Lexington, and Nancy T. Musselman and husband, Irving, of Suffolk; son, H. Randolph Thomas and wife, Paige, of Boalsburg, Pa; one brother, Douglas M. Thomas of Petersburg; sister-in-law, Jean H. Thomas of Drewryville; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Thornton W. Thomas.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 pm Thursday at Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Dolan A. Talbert officiating. Interment will follow in Holland Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence and suggests memorials be made to the Salvation Army, P. O. Box 1000, Suffolk, Va. 23434. www.wrightfuneralhome.org