Eugene Thomas Sr.'s Obituary
Eugene Thomas Sr. made his transition peacefully on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 at Jackson County Medical Facility in Jackson, Mich. He was 97 years old. The 10th of 11 children of Joseph Lee Thomas Sr. and Nettie Norris Thomas, he was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and cousin.
Pulled from junior high school to help the family in the wake of the Great Depression, Mr. Thomas worked at the railroad junction before taking a job at Hayes Hotel. He soon joined Hayes Industries and owned several apartment buildings on Van Dorn Street. He retired at age 56.
Like his idol Louis Armstrong, Mr. Thomas played trumpet in big bands that featured Jackson legend Benny Poole, including at the Hayes Hotel. He was an avid bowler, boater, hunter and enjoyed camping in his RV. He sang and – long after retirement - taught himself to play the keyboard. He continued singing at the JCMF retirement home on the day of his transitioning.
Mr. Thomas was proud that he came from one of Jackson’s largest families. The Norris and Thomas families arrived by train from Tennessee in the early 1910s. He lived his entire life here. He was born on Woodsum Street at the mouth of Ella Sharp Park, where the family raised pigs, chickens and cows – rare in the city. The cows would regularly break out and roam the neighborhood until the family would track them down with the help of neighbors, he said. He later protested discrimination by sitting in at Jackson restaurants until they were served. And with his union, he advocated for better jobs for blacks in the shop and paid leave for jury duty until policies were changed.
Mr. Thomas was an Army veteran, serving in the Korean War. He regularly attended funerals at Ella Sharp Park, playing “Taps” on his horn from behind the trees. Donning his veteran hat, he often rode his powered scooter on the South side and at casinos.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Lee Thomas Sr. and Nettie Norris (Thomas, Gray), and all of siblings: brothers Joseph Lee Thomas Jr., Henry Green Thomas, Annie May Bicy, Cornelia Goodall, Jesse Thomas, Benjamin “B.J.” Thomas, Gladys Thomas, Lou Ella Thomas, Flossie Thomas and an infant brother. He was also preceded by a special friend of many years – Doris Baltimore.
He is survived by his children – Relda Cobb, Harold “Buzzy’’ Thomas, Eugene Thomas Jr., Ishmael Muhammad and Kofi (f.k.a. Jacque); grandchildren Darren Moore, Timmara Tanner, Tearra Thomas, Darice Cobb, Khalfani Jahi Thomas, Jamila Aisha Thomas, Summayah Iman Muhammad, Jada Akia Thomas, Amira Jahann Muhammad and Tyler Thomas; six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.
A documentary video on his life is on YouTube under: Eugene Thomas Sr. All My Life.
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