Son of Kathryne "Katie" Elizabeth Austin and Raymond Mitchell Thomas, Sr.
OBITUARY - Savannah Morning News
SAVANNAHIAN DIES OF SEVERE BURNS
A native Savannahian, who spent all of World War II overseas and was highly decorated, died Monday of severe burns received in a flash fire at Boston naval shipyard.
Chief Warrant Office John H. Thomas, 47, and another officer Thursday were caught between a pier and the drydocked aircraft carrier Lake Champlain when the officers' gangplank was suddenly enveloped in flames.
Cmdr. James M. Vaughan of Washington, D. C., was reported in good condition today.
Mr. Thomas had been serving aboard a ship for the past two years having visited his family only several times during the sea duty. His wife, Mrs. Mae Scott Thomas, a former Savannahian; a son, John Scottie; and a daughter, Donner, live in Jacksonville, Fla.
The victim's last visit to the Savannah was nine months ago when he attended his father's funeral.
A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Thomas of Savannah, the naval officer, after the death of his mother, lived with an aunt, Mrs. Archie Blount of St. Petersburg, Fla., where he graduated from high school.
He was a member of Wesley Oak Methodist Church of Thunderbolt. He was also a member of the Masons and a Shriner. At one time he was employed here with the Seaboard Air Line Railway.
Entering the Navy during World War II he was decorated for his services in the European theater. He was in his 20th year in the Navy. The SS Lake Champlain on which he was a chief warrant officer was transferred in July 1959 from Mayport, Fla., to Newport, R. I.
Funeral arrangements, which are in charge of Sipples Mortuary, are incomplete. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The cause of the shipyard blaze is still under investigation.
Besides his wife and children, he is survived by two brothers, Raymond Thomas, Jr. of Savannah and William Thomas of Columbus; a sister, Mrs. Catherine Brunson of Columbia, S. C., several aunts in Savannah; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Scott, of Whitemarsh Island are parents of Mrs. Thomas.
OBITUARY - Savannah Morning News
SAVANNAHIAN DIES OF SEVERE BURNS
A native Savannahian, who spent all of World War II overseas and was highly decorated, died Monday of severe burns received in a flash fire at Boston naval shipyard.
Chief Warrant Office John H. Thomas, 47, and another officer Thursday were caught between a pier and the drydocked aircraft carrier Lake Champlain when the officers' gangplank was suddenly enveloped in flames.
Cmdr. James M. Vaughan of Washington, D. C., was reported in good condition today.
Mr. Thomas had been serving aboard a ship for the past two years having visited his family only several times during the sea duty. His wife, Mrs. Mae Scott Thomas, a former Savannahian; a son, John Scottie; and a daughter, Donner, live in Jacksonville, Fla.
The victim's last visit to the Savannah was nine months ago when he attended his father's funeral.
A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Thomas of Savannah, the naval officer, after the death of his mother, lived with an aunt, Mrs. Archie Blount of St. Petersburg, Fla., where he graduated from high school.
He was a member of Wesley Oak Methodist Church of Thunderbolt. He was also a member of the Masons and a Shriner. At one time he was employed here with the Seaboard Air Line Railway.
Entering the Navy during World War II he was decorated for his services in the European theater. He was in his 20th year in the Navy. The SS Lake Champlain on which he was a chief warrant officer was transferred in July 1959 from Mayport, Fla., to Newport, R. I.
Funeral arrangements, which are in charge of Sipples Mortuary, are incomplete. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The cause of the shipyard blaze is still under investigation.
Besides his wife and children, he is survived by two brothers, Raymond Thomas, Jr. of Savannah and William Thomas of Columbus; a sister, Mrs. Catherine Brunson of Columbia, S. C., several aunts in Savannah; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Scott, of Whitemarsh Island are parents of Mrs. Thomas.
Son of Kathryne "Katie" Elizabeth Austin and Raymond Mitchell Thomas, Sr.
OBITUARY - Savannah Morning News
SAVANNAHIAN DIES OF SEVERE BURNS
A native Savannahian, who spent all of World War II overseas and was highly decorated, died Monday of severe burns received in a flash fire at Boston naval shipyard.
Chief Warrant Office John H. Thomas, 47, and another officer Thursday were caught between a pier and the drydocked aircraft carrier Lake Champlain when the officers' gangplank was suddenly enveloped in flames.
Cmdr. James M. Vaughan of Washington, D. C., was reported in good condition today.
Mr. Thomas had been serving aboard a ship for the past two years having visited his family only several times during the sea duty. His wife, Mrs. Mae Scott Thomas, a former Savannahian; a son, John Scottie; and a daughter, Donner, live in Jacksonville, Fla.
The victim's last visit to the Savannah was nine months ago when he attended his father's funeral.
A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Thomas of Savannah, the naval officer, after the death of his mother, lived with an aunt, Mrs. Archie Blount of St. Petersburg, Fla., where he graduated from high school.
He was a member of Wesley Oak Methodist Church of Thunderbolt. He was also a member of the Masons and a Shriner. At one time he was employed here with the Seaboard Air Line Railway.
Entering the Navy during World War II he was decorated for his services in the European theater. He was in his 20th year in the Navy. The SS Lake Champlain on which he was a chief warrant officer was transferred in July 1959 from Mayport, Fla., to Newport, R. I.
Funeral arrangements, which are in charge of Sipples Mortuary, are incomplete. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The cause of the shipyard blaze is still under investigation.
Besides his wife and children, he is survived by two brothers, Raymond Thomas, Jr. of Savannah and William Thomas of Columbus; a sister, Mrs. Catherine Brunson of Columbia, S. C., several aunts in Savannah; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Scott, of Whitemarsh Island are parents of Mrs. Thomas.
OBITUARY - Savannah Morning News
SAVANNAHIAN DIES OF SEVERE BURNS
A native Savannahian, who spent all of World War II overseas and was highly decorated, died Monday of severe burns received in a flash fire at Boston naval shipyard.
Chief Warrant Office John H. Thomas, 47, and another officer Thursday were caught between a pier and the drydocked aircraft carrier Lake Champlain when the officers' gangplank was suddenly enveloped in flames.
Cmdr. James M. Vaughan of Washington, D. C., was reported in good condition today.
Mr. Thomas had been serving aboard a ship for the past two years having visited his family only several times during the sea duty. His wife, Mrs. Mae Scott Thomas, a former Savannahian; a son, John Scottie; and a daughter, Donner, live in Jacksonville, Fla.
The victim's last visit to the Savannah was nine months ago when he attended his father's funeral.
A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Thomas of Savannah, the naval officer, after the death of his mother, lived with an aunt, Mrs. Archie Blount of St. Petersburg, Fla., where he graduated from high school.
He was a member of Wesley Oak Methodist Church of Thunderbolt. He was also a member of the Masons and a Shriner. At one time he was employed here with the Seaboard Air Line Railway.
Entering the Navy during World War II he was decorated for his services in the European theater. He was in his 20th year in the Navy. The SS Lake Champlain on which he was a chief warrant officer was transferred in July 1959 from Mayport, Fla., to Newport, R. I.
Funeral arrangements, which are in charge of Sipples Mortuary, are incomplete. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The cause of the shipyard blaze is still under investigation.
Besides his wife and children, he is survived by two brothers, Raymond Thomas, Jr. of Savannah and William Thomas of Columbus; a sister, Mrs. Catherine Brunson of Columbia, S. C., several aunts in Savannah; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Scott, of Whitemarsh Island are parents of Mrs. Thomas.
Gravesite Details
Headstone shows damage of broken corner and absence of insignia.
Family Members
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