Jack Thomas

Jack Roger Thomas, LCDR (Ret.), of Gulf Breeze, FL, went to be with Jesus on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 96 years old. Jack was born on August 19, 1926 on a farm in North Belmont, North Carolina to Paul and Ethel Thomas. He was the third of four children and was the last to pass.

            He joined the Navy in June of 1944 and was discharged in 1946, but he decided the Navy was the best place for him. He reenlisted in the Navy in 1947 and retired as LCDR in July of 1975. In 1952, he married his wife, then Barbara Fierro, after a three-week courtship. They were happily married for over 50 years before she went to be with Jesus in 2004. They had three children together, Jeffery, Jesse, and Lorri.

Upon retiring, Jack settled in Gulf Breeze, where he resided with his family for over 40 years. He was a long-time member of the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Jack was a generous man who loved God, his family, his friends, and his church. He supported many different organizations, such as Waterfront Rescue Mission, Covenant Care, and several military veteran associations. He enjoyed golfing, bird-watching, and gardening.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his sons Jeffery and Jesse, his daughter-in-law Asia, his parents Paul and Ethel, and his three siblings Mary Pauline, Neva Mae, and Henry Glenn. He is survived by his daughter Lorri Adkins, his grandchildren Robert (married to Kim) Stemcosky, Michael Stemcosky, and Kaitlyn Adkins, and his great-grandaughter Ashlynn Stemcosky.

The family expresses their love and gratitude to Covenant Care Hospice, Baptist Hospital, and all the many friends who have shown great love and support for Jack.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 22, at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Waterfront Rescue Mission, Covenant Care, or any military veteran charity of your choosing.