| David Nolan Thomas Dr. |
DR. DAVID NOLAN THOMAS
Dr. David Nolan Thomas, age 88, passed away quietly at his home in Atlanta,
Georgia on August 31 2012.
Dr. Thomas attended Eastern High School (1942) in Washington, D.C. He went on
to receive a Bachelors Degree at Coker College where he was the first male
graduate in 1951, and later earned his Masters Degree and PhD at the University of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 1990, he received an honorary degree from Frances
Marion University in Florence, South Carolina where he had served as Director and
was instrumental in transforming the college into a four-year institution. Dr. Thomas
was a Professor of History at Oglethorpe University for 30 years from 1968 until 1998.
During his tenure, he was always equally passionate about teaching and learning. He
was admired and respected by both his colleagues and students.
Dr. Thomas was involved in DeKalb county and Georgia politics, and ran for the
Georgia House of Representatives in 1970. He loved nothing more than a good
political debate or hosting election night parties for his students to watch the results.
He also served on the Board of Directors of the Silver Lake Civic Association
dedicated to the restoration of the lake.
He was a WWII veteran having served in the US Army in Germany and France.
He was a world traveler, and enjoyed jogging and tennis.
He completed his goal of visiting all 50 US state capital buildings, and traveled
extensively on 5 continents.
He completed the Peachtree Road Race 23 consecutive years, running until the year
2001.
David was married to Almenia (Al) Locklair Thomas of Florence, South Carolina in
1952, and she served as his "chart and compass" for nearly 60 years.
He is survived by his loving wife; and son Tommy Gordon (and wife Julia), son Bo
Thomas (and wife Lisa), and daughter Talia Murphy, (and husband John Murphy),
eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
In accordance with his wishes, his body was donated to Emory Medical School.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 8 at 10:30 am at Oglethorpe
University Library.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Visiting Nurse Hospice of Atlanta at
vnhs.thankyou4caring.org/DonateNow or Wieuca Road Baptist Church.
Dr. David Nolan Thomas, age 88, passed away quietly at his home in Atlanta,
Georgia on August 31 2012.
Dr. Thomas attended Eastern High School (1942) in Washington, D.C. He went on
to receive a Bachelors Degree at Coker College where he was the first male
graduate in 1951, and later earned his Masters Degree and PhD at the University of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 1990, he received an honorary degree from Frances
Marion University in Florence, South Carolina where he had served as Director and
was instrumental in transforming the college into a four-year institution. Dr. Thomas
was a Professor of History at Oglethorpe University for 30 years from 1968 until 1998.
During his tenure, he was always equally passionate about teaching and learning. He
was admired and respected by both his colleagues and students.
Dr. Thomas was involved in DeKalb county and Georgia politics, and ran for the
Georgia House of Representatives in 1970. He loved nothing more than a good
political debate or hosting election night parties for his students to watch the results.
He also served on the Board of Directors of the Silver Lake Civic Association
dedicated to the restoration of the lake.
He was a WWII veteran having served in the US Army in Germany and France.
He was a world traveler, and enjoyed jogging and tennis.
He completed his goal of visiting all 50 US state capital buildings, and traveled
extensively on 5 continents.
He completed the Peachtree Road Race 23 consecutive years, running until the year
2001.
David was married to Almenia (Al) Locklair Thomas of Florence, South Carolina in
1952, and she served as his "chart and compass" for nearly 60 years.
He is survived by his loving wife; and son Tommy Gordon (and wife Julia), son Bo
Thomas (and wife Lisa), and daughter Talia Murphy, (and husband John Murphy),
eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
In accordance with his wishes, his body was donated to Emory Medical School.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 8 at 10:30 am at Oglethorpe
University Library.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Visiting Nurse Hospice of Atlanta at
vnhs.thankyou4caring.org/DonateNow or Wieuca Road Baptist Church.
