Leo Patrick Thomas

Leo Patrick Thomas, age 76, of Sparta, North Carolina, passed away Friday, January 26th, 2024 at The Landings of Chestnut Grove in Sparta.

Leo was born February 1, 1947 in Portsmouth, VA to the late Guy Clifford Thomas and Mary Hedrick Thomas. A loving father and grandfather, Leo served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, receiving a Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal with two stars and Vietnam Campaign Medal, among other decorations and honors. He was wounded in combat and was a 100% disabled veteran. Leo served in the Coast Guard Reserves for over a decade and was an expert marksman. Following his military service in Vietnam, Leo was a police officer for 25 years rising to the rank of Captain in the Wilmington, NC Police Department and Chief of Police in Russell, KS. He was an honored member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1298, and was always quick with a joke and a smile.

Survivors include his two daughters, Sara Keeton of Clemmons, NC and husband Ray, and Patricia Thomas of New York, NY and husband Will; three grandchildren: Lydia, Tessa, Johanna and husband Seth; three sisters: Mary Ellen Thomas, Anne Norton, Margaret Neese and husband Jim; a brother, Guy Thomas and wife Amy; and extended family including cousins, nieces, nephews and a great grandson, William.

Memorial Services to honor the life of Leo will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 10th, 2024 in the chapel of Thomas Family Funeral Service with Pastor Jim Neese and Pastor Ray Keeton officiating. Military Honors will be performed by the VFW Post# 7034 of Sparta and the Marine Corps League Detachment# 1298. Leo's remains will be cremated in accordance with his wishes. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

Charitable donations in Leo's honor are appreciated in lieu of flowers or gifts. Two giving areas close to his heart were animal welfare and veterans' causes. Please send donations in Leo's memory to: Twin Oaks Animal Shelter at 2970 US 21 Sparta, NC 28675 or Vietnam Veterans of America at http://vva.org/donate .

Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Thomas Family. If you wish, online tributes, flowers and gifts may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com. The Memorial Service will be casual and attendees are invited to join the family afterward for a late lunch at a local restaurant to celebrate Leo's life.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leo Patrick Thomas, please visit our floral store.