Ricky Lynn Thomas went to be with his Lord on Friday, October 27, 2023 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCenter in Wilmington, NC.

Ricky Lynn was born on June 29, 1945 to John and Shorty Thomas. He grew up surrounded by a large, loving family of aunts, uncles and cousins and his beloved little sister, Johnnye.

He attended Beulaville High School and was a member of the first graduating class of East Duplin High School in 1963. One of his favorite memories was serving as guard on the 1963 EDHS basketball team in the State Championships. After high school, he attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 1967.

While at Carolina he married the love of his life, Marilyn Denny, and together they raised two daughters, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren over the course of their devoted 57-year marriage.

Upon graduation, Ricky went to work for American Oil Company in Atlanta until returning to Beulaville to take the helm of Thomas & Horne Oil Co. upon the death of his father in 1968. He took the legacy left him by his father and grew it into a thriving enterprise serving multiple counties and employing 20 individuals at the time of his passing.

He went by many names and nicknames over his life: Ricky, Rick, Ricky Lynn, RT, Slick, Pete and Brother…but Shug, Pop, and Gaddy always made his eyes shine brightest.

He loved fishing and boating, sports of all kinds, especially his beloved Carolina Tarheels, and his appreciation for music spanned The Platters, to Willie & Waylon, from Sinatra to Elvis as well as the old hymns and folk songs and he enjoyed little more than to share his love of them with his family and friends.

Ricky Lynn was preceded in death by his father, Erman Best (John) Thomas, his mother Evelyn (Shorty) Horne and his grandson, Nick Taylor.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Denny Thomas, his daughters Joelle Thomas of Wilmington, NC and Jodi Thomas Crumpler (Robin) of Surf City, NC. Grandchildren, Anna Lynne Henley (Sam) of Winston Salem, NC; Blair Taylor of Boone, NC; Matthew Taylor of Wilmington, NC; Lucas Fucili (Jamie) of Beulaville, NC; and Abigail Fucili of Surf City, NC. Great-grandchildren Aiden Henley, Lorelei Henley and Ferryn Lilly.

Matthew 25:23: His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."

Funeral Service:

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

3:00 PM

Beulaville Free Will Baptist Church, Beulaville

Interment:

East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville

Community Funeral Home is honored to serve the Thomas family.