J.T. Thomas

J.T. Thomas, 87, of Greensboro went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 5, 2016. A graveside military service will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 2:00pm at Guilford Memorial Park.
 
J. T. was born in Guilford County to Bertha Farrington Thomas and Charles Wesley Thomas on July 5, 1928. He was brought up in a large family that includes surviving members Charles W. “Tut” Thomas, Joseph L. Thomas, Millis Barber and deceased members Mattie Hunter, Martha Jane Thomas and Betty JoAnne Thomas. J.T. attended Senior High (currently known as Grimsley Senior High School) and was a member of the Baptist faith.
 
He joined the Navy during World War II and became a member of the 103rd Naval Construction Battalion as a Machinist Mate, Construction Battalion, Equipment Operator 3rd Class Petty Officer. He reached this rank in just 14 months (whereas this rank would normally take 3 years to achieve). J.T. traveled onboard the USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112) which was a warship and troop transport that served the United States Navy with 5,000 men onboard. Naval travels took him to California, Hawaii and other locations culminating with a year’s station on the Island of Guam, located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. He enjoyed serving and protecting his country as a U.S. Navy Seabee. Upon return to civilian life he worked for Sears Roebuck and Company as a Warehouse & Transportation Manager where he met his wife Dorothy Caviness. They were married on January 2, 1953 and enjoyed 63 years of marriage.
 
He is survived by his wife Dorothy and their two children Calvin Thomas (Tracie Foels), Laura Thomas Horth (Marcus Horth) along with numerous other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank Dorothy's sister Betty and her husband Joe Melvin for their support and friendship along with Ken Allred, Charles W. “Tut” Thomas, Joseph L. Thomas and Millis Barber. The family would also like to thank the nurses at Moses Cone Hospital in H2.
 
Let's remember the Navy Seabees -- their simple motto tells the story: "We build, we fight." From island hopping during World War II to Korea, to the jungles of Vietnam, to the mountains of Bosnia, and to the deserts of Afghanistan and Kuwait, the Seabees have built entire bases, bulldozed and paved thousands of miles of roadway and airstrips, and accomplished a myriad of construction projects. Repeatedly demonstrating skills as fighters and builders, in peace and in war, J. T. lived their motto: "Can Do!"