Douglas Moore Thomas

Douglas Moore Thomas, 92, died peacefully on Dec. 2, 2017 at his home in Prince George, Virginia.
Born October 8, 1925 in Drewryville, VA to Peter and Mary Thomas, Doug was the youngest of their three sons. Upon graduation from Drewryville High School in 1943, Doug enlisted in the United States Navy where he initially served as a medic on a Hospital ship. During his time in the Navy, he served in Europe, Africa, and The Philippines as well as in Hawaii. He was on that hospital ship at the time of the D Day Invasion of Normandy, making several trips over and back on the English Channel, treating and transporting wounded American Soldiers from the beaches of France. Following his return to the states, Doug was assigned to the 4th Marine Division, attending basic training in Camp Lejeune, NC. His next assignment was in the Pacific theatre where he and his fellow servicemen prepared for what was thought to be the inevitable ground invasion of Japan. Thankfully the war ended without that invasion and he came home. He was a proud American.
Doug married Thresa “Chic” Thomas in 1950. They were a true Petersburg couple involved in the community in many different ways.
Following his discharge from military service in 1946, Doug enrolled in the Medical College of Virginia. There he earned his degree in Pharmacy, graduating with the class of 1950. His long career in pharmacy included being the first staff Pharmacist at the then new Petersburg General Hospital. He later worked at Gray’s Drug Store and eventually purchased Walnut Hill Pharmacy along with his partner Tommy Lee. Doug retired from Walnut Hill only to be called back to help out with Jimmy Hawks at Hawks Pharmacy in Ettrick and later in Sutherland. He retained his license until the age of 86, continuing to work whenever called upon by a fellow Pharmacist for relief. He did finally “truly” retire from Heath Marshall’s Sutherland Pharmacy.
Doug was a participant of “Wink’s Thursday Golf Group” at the Country Club of Petersburg where he enjoyed many years of golf and fellowship.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Doug is preceded in death by his brothers, Horace and Thornton Thomas. He is also predeceased by his son, Douglas Thomas Jr. “Tommy” and grandson, Oliver Scott Thomas.
Doug is survived by his sons, Ronald J. Thomas and wife, Nancy, and David W. Thomas and partner, Nicole Tiltman; grandchildren, Ainsleigh Gaskins and her husband, Thomas of Richmond, Heath Thomas of Chester, and Christin Thomas of Charlotte, NC. Also a dear sister-in-law, Jean Thomas of Drewryville and nephew, Wynne Thomas, also of Drewryville; great-grandchildren, Kate Gaskins, Jameson Gaskins, and Grace Thomas, and a dear friend, Rose Ricciardi of New Jersey.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday December 7, at Southlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .