Robert "Bob" L. Thomas, Sr.

Reverend Robert “Bob” L. Thomas Sr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday November 8, 2023, at McLeod Hospice House after a short illness.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12, at Calvary Baptist Church; the family will receive friends following the service.

Bob was born on July 8, 1937 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, son of the late George William Thomas and Marguerite Evans Thomas. He attended Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada graduating in 1960 and later graduated from Columbia Bible College in Columbia, SC. He married the love of his life, Alice Graves Thomas on June 5, 1963 in Greenville, SC. Together they built a home wherever the Lord led them.

Bob was a devoted husband to Alice, father to three children; Lois Ann, Kate and Lee, and Grand T to his grandchildren; Logan, London, Alana, Ashton and Great -Grand T to Kaylyn. Most of all he was a devoted soldier of the cross. He surrendered his life to full time Christian service at the age of 14. Answering the call from God to preach, he began a teenage gospel team and began preaching at age 16. Reverend Thomas was ordained to the ministry by his home church in Pennsylvania on November 27, 1963. Over his 72 years in ministry he pastored nine churches, directed three Christian camps, served as a chaplain in prison ministry and started a Sunday morning radio program leading many to salvation. He continued to preach leading up to his illness, preaching his last sermon on August 27, 2023.

He also worked at Southside Middle school for 23 years with many who he came to love and many came to love him as “Mr. T”.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alice Thomas; Children, Lois Ann Tolson, Kate Miccichi, and Robert Lee Thomas Jr.; Grandchildren Logan Miccichi (Brielle), London Miccichi (Mason), Alana Tolson Hampton (Cody) and Ashton Kinsley Tolson; Great-grandchild, Kaylyn Miccichi; Beloved sister-in-law, Lois Mundy Graves, Jo Beth Graves and brother-in-law, James Graves (Sylvia) with a host of nieces, nephews and treasured friends.

He is preceded in death by his twin brother, William Reed Thomas and wife Sally Thomas, brother-in-law, Frank Graves and adored son-in-law, Mike Tolson.

The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the love and care given to Bob “Pop” by Lois Gail Jackson and Janice Jackson.

Memorials may be made to Camp Pine Hill, 2096 Baptist Road Bennettsville, SC 29512, director@camppinehill.com or Gideon’s International, gideons.org  

You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.laytonandersonfh.com

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