Larry J. Thomas of Boiling Springs, NC passed away on August 31, 2023.

The son of the late Herman and Billie Thomas, Larry is remembered by the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Lynn Thomas, by his children, Josh Thomas and wife, Ellen, Daniel Thomas and wife, Sarah, and Jodi Powell and husband, Drew. His legacy also includes 8 adoring grandchildren, Phelps, Foster, Zella, Sam, Sydney, Isaac, Lila, and Luke. Larry is also survived by his two sisters, Linda and Lisa.

Larry Thomas was an integral part of the Gardner-Webb community for well over 4 decades, most of which was spent serving as a university policeman, and before that served his country in the Army.

Memorials may be offered to Boiling Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund: 307 S Main St, Shelby, NC 28152, or Hospice of Cleveland County: 951 Wendover Heights Dr., Shelby, NC 28150.

Services will be held Saturday, September 9th at Boiling Springs Baptist Church with visitation from 9:30 - 11:00 in the Family Life Center followed by a Remembrance service in the Sanctuary from 11:15-12:00. A graveside service with military honors will take place following at the Boiling Springs Baptist Cemetery on Main St.

I could write about his humility, the way he never thought more highly of himself than he ought, the way he treated everyone as a friend, or about his humor, you know he always had a joke and he'd laugh that big ol laugh whether you thought it was funny or not...

Or about his generosity, the way he would make beautiful wood furniture and such for so many and would never take enough money, the way he'd sneakily pay for your el Acapulco, his quickness to share what was his with whoever needed it.

Or about his sacrifice, the promotions not taken, enlisting in the Army when he didn't get drafted, the countless meals he made and practices he attended. The hundreds of times he'd get off the couch to come out and unlock a car for someone...

He had his flaws like we all do. He knew as one of his favorite songs goes that he was a "walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction," but his quiet faith led him onward.

But what I want to write is that along the way he discovered he was just happy to be here. And he truly was. He lived a good life. He "did justice, loved kindness, and walked humbly with his God."

He took his last breath at 1:28am on August 31 under the blue moon. He was a rare one after all. Fare thee well, pa. Thank you for loving us, all. We will do our best to remember who we are.