Leland Charles Thomas

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel 4278 Lafayette Street Marianna, Fl 32446 850.482.2332 850.526.4143 FAX www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com Leland Charles Thomas, also known as "the Colonel" in reference to his military service, passed away Friday Feb.17, at Flowers hospital, he was 79. Charles was born in Marianna September 29, 1932 to Leland Clifton and Gladys B. Thomas, also of Marianna. He attended Marianna High School and graduated from the University of Florida in 1954 where he received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. Upon graduation Charles was commissioned through the Air Force Officer Training Corp (ROTC), to begin a distinguished 30 year military career. Charles began his career in the Air Force by earning his wings upon completion of undergraduate navigator training at Ellington AFB. Texas in December 1955.Charles was obviously a busy boy during this period since this is also where he met and married his loving wife of 56 years, Virginia Bruce Adams of Port Arthur Texas. After advanced training Charlie and Virginia (Jenny) were stationed at Dover, Delaware where he served from Sept. 1956 until March 1959 as a radar observer in the F89D Scorpion all weather fighter. He then spent a year with the 59th Interceptor Fighter Squadron(FIS) in Goose Bay, Labrador. From 1960 to 1963 Charles served as an F-101b 'Voodoo" radar observer with the 444th FIS at Charleston AFB, South Carolina. Following a 3 year tour on the 1st Air Force Tactical Evaluation Team at Stewart AFB, New York, Charles attended Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery Ala. From there he and his family were stationed in the Philippines where, as a member of the 6400th Test Squadron at Clark Air base, he participated in a field test of the AIM 7 and AIM 4D missiles. From May 1968 to November 1969, Major Thomas was an F101B Radar System Instructor in the 4756 Combat Crew Training Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Florida. He then requalified in the F-4 'Phantom" fighter at George AFB, CA. in preparation to serve a combat tour (Aug 1970-Aug 1971) in Southeast Asia with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, "Night Owls", Ubon, Thailand. While in Thailand he served as Chief, Wing Radar Strike Branch, and flew 201 combat missions. Upon completion of his overseas tour, Lt. Colonel Thomas attended Weapons Controller School and then became the Director of Operations, 827th Air Defense Group (ADGp), Kingsley Field, Oregon. In December 1972, Charlie and his family moved yet again to Maine where Lt Col. Thomas commanded the 765th ADGp, Charleston AFB. In June 1975, Colonel Thomas was reassigned to the Pentagon and served on the Air Staff as Chief, Command, Control, Communications and Electronics Warfare Branch, Directorate of Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and Resources. Col. Thomas remained on the Air Staff until June 1978, when he assumed duties as Commander, 601st Tactical Control Group, at Kapaun Air Station, Germany. From there he became the 601st TCW Vice Commander on April 12, 1980 where he served until 1982. Col Thomas's extensive military career included graduation from Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1984, Charlie and Jenny returned to Marianna. Charlie was very community oriented and quickly became involved in the Marianna chapter of Kiwanis, an organization he originally joined while stationed in Maine. He embraced the philanthropic mission of the organization and cherished the comradeship. He held several official positions within Kiwanis, including Vice President from 1998-99 and President in 2000-2001. He was a devout member of the Marianna United Methodist Church where he served in different capacities, and he served on the Jackson County Planning Commission for 13 years. This service to his community resulted in his being chosen Jackson County Citizen of the Year in 1995. Charlie' first love, besides his family, was agriculture. He loved producing from the land and for those who knew him well it's easy to see within him certain characteristics of both Cincinnatus and Jefferson who epitomized, not only civic virtue, but also believed those closest to the earth are closest to God. His love for this profession led to his participation in several agricultural organizations including the Cattleman's Association, Farm Bureau, and the Jackson County Extension Advisory Committee. He was honored many times for his successes to include Tree Farmer of the Year (1992), Cattleman of the Year(1994), Outstanding Agriculturist (1996), Conservationist of the Year(1999), Outstanding Farm Family (2007) and Bronze Business Member of the Florida Sheriff's Association(2009-2010). Leland, Charlie, "the Colonel" will be sorely missed by his wife Jenny, children Cliff, Ernie, and Virginia, son-in-law Kent Beard, grandchildren Ashley and Leland Thomas and Jaimie-Lee and John beard, and his three great grandchildren. He will also be missed by the many, many friends whose lives he touched. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. CST, Friday, February 24, 2012 at First United Methodist Church in Marianna, Florida with Reverend Bill Elwell officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery with Full Military Honors. James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel will direct. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2012 at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel..