Paul Edward Thomas

Paul Edward Thomas, a resident of Newton passed away on Monday, August 31, 2009 at his residence. He was 76.

Funeral services will be held 10 am Saturday, September 5, 2009 in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel Rev. John McCullough officiating. Burial will follow in Daleville Memorial Gardens with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 pm until 7pm on Friday. He was born on January 4, 1933, in Tell City, Indiana to Urban and Allie Thomas. He was the eldest of six children. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Army and on September 4, 1952, he married his hometown sweetheart Lucille Ruth Montgomery, whom he affectionately called “Ludy.” During his time in the military, he became an officer and rose to the rank of CW-3 prior to his discharge. He served two 2 tours in Korea and two 2 tours in Vietnam. He received numerous awards, metals and recognition for his service and heroism. He and Lucille had seven 7 boys during this time. An accident in 1969 rendered him unable to continue with his love of flying and he received an Honorable Discharge and retired to Daleville, Alabama. In 1973, he started Tri-Glas Industries in Dothan, Alabama. In 1979, he moved Tri-Glas to Daleville, Alabama. With the aid of his sons, Tri-Glas manufactured fiberglass van tops, camper tops and fiberglass van and truck accessories and was known as the “Manufacturers of the World’s Finest Camper Tops”. In 1983 and in 1984, Tri-Glas made the fortune 500 list. It was the largest employer in Dale County, Alabama. Upon its sale in 1988, Tri-Glas employed 367 employees. In 1989, he formed P.E.T. Rock in Daleville, which manufactured artificial stone, a trade he learned while serving in Korea. He was active in the Daleville Chamber of Commerce, United Way and a lifetime member of the VFW.He was a painter, inventor, manufacturer, fisherman, son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a friend to many. He loved spending time outdoors and working in the yard; with his children; and grandchildren, especially fishing with them. He will be missed tremendously by those who knew and loved him.He is predeceased by his parents, Urban & Allie Thomas; his brother, Dave Thomas; and his sons, Stuart Dudley Thomas and Mark Steven Thomas.He is survived by his wife, Lucille R. Montgomery Thomas; his sons, Paul Edward Thomas, Jr. and wife Tamera of Clayhatchee, AL, Douglas Doug Bart Thomas and wife Dr. Kim A. Williams of Opelika, AL, Kirk Patrick Thomas and wife Colleen of Daleville, AL, Dale Wayne Thomas and wife Lynnia of Taylor, AL, Michael Scott Thomas of Dothan, AL; long time family friend, Bill Hanson and wife, Helen, his grandchildren, Stuart Dudley Thomas, Jr., Shirah Thomas Chalker, Pamela Thomas, Angela Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Jeffrey Thomas, Patricia Thomas, Kristie Thomas Grisaffi, Stephanie Thomas, Amanda Thomas Arana, Dale Wayne Thomas, II, Blake Thomas, Eli Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas and Christopher Hanson; his great-grandchildren, Korgan & Keaton Chalker Shirah, Emma and Alex Thomas Jeffrey, Vincent and Victoria Arana Amanda; three brothers, one sister, numerous nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends.Pallbearers will be Paul E. Thomas Jr., Kirk P. Thomas, Dale W. Thomas, Dale W. Thomas, II, Bill Hanson and Freddy Mayne. Burial Date: January 1, 1970