Obituary of Marshall W. Thomas
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Marshall Williston Thomas, 54, of Boone, formerly of Lexington and Florence, Kentucky, died Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Davant Rehab in Blowing Rock, surrounded by his family, after a long and courageous battle with cirrhosis. Born July 20, 1957 in Libertyville, Illinois, Marshall was a son of the late Marshall Henry and Pearl Williston Thomas. He was founder and president of MWT&O, Inc., an agri-specialties chemical export/import business.
Marshall was a fully immersed baptized, redeemed and forgiven child of God, who spent his childhood participating in Boy Scouts and youth events at Florence Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He participated in CHIRO and CYF at Florence Christian and playing sports throughout his youth.
After graduating with honors from Conner Senior High School in Hebron, Kentucky, he attended Memphis State. As a freshman, he lettered in golf and successfully competed in various golf tournaments. As a talented athlete and an avid golfer, Marshall achieved a hole-in-one at Big Elm Golf Course. He was fond of playing all sports, from pool to racquetball. One of his proudest achievements was playing center on the champion 1968 Florence Lions football team, an undefeated and un-scored team. He played basketball for the Florence Knights and Conner Junior High Colts. Marshall's devotion to sports was illuminated in recent years by his generous donations to Watauga High School to help construct the football stadium where his children attended, and where his son now coaches football.
Marshall is survived by three children, Marshall Neal Thomas of Boone, Olivia Ann Thomas of High Point, and Cora Jo Mantel , and granddaughter, Lacey Grace Mantel, both of Thomasville; two brothers, Thomas Albert Thomas of Kentucky, and Addison Revere Thomas of Boone; three sisters, Karen Thomas Snider, Kimberly Jo Thomas and Kelli Marguerite Thomas, all of Lexington, Ky.; nephews, Travis Blake Elliston, Jeffrey, Jeremy and Jason Baker, Rubin Lee, Joshua and Addison Ray Thomas; and nieces, Jessica Pearl French and Susannah Rose Snider.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Becky Dian Edwards Baker.
He will be missed and remembered always by his family and friends from Boone County, KY to Boone, NC.
Marshall's joy of life was like none other � he reveled in following UK sports, played pool like a shark, and best of all, appreciated the beauty of what God had given him. He took the time to stop and smell the roses.
The family will receive friends Friday afternoon, February 24, 2012, from 4:30 until 6 PM at Three Forks Baptist Church in Boone.
Graveside services will be conducted Saturday morning, March 3, 2012 at 10 o'clock at the Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Medi Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, NC 28658.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Thomas family.