Robert Thomas

Robert (Bobby) Joseph Thomas, 54, of Ironton, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Ky. The Ironton native was born Sept. 29, 1957, the son of John W. and Charlene Henthorne Thomas of Ironton, who survive.

Bobby was a 1976 graduate of Ironton High School and a member of the Central Christian Church in Ironton. He was a retired U.S. Navy veteran, receiving a Navy Unit commendation, National Defense Medals, the Armed Forces Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, Expert Pistol Shot Medal, and the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon. After serving our country, he was a former employee for the Securitas Security Company at Dow Chemical. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Ironton Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cincinnati Bengals and golfing.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Lennie Henthorne; and his paternal grandparents, Paul and Geraldine Lewis.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeff and Janet Thomas of Cincinnati and Craig and Jami Thomas of Ironton; a nephew and his wife, Austin and Leslie Thomas of Ironton; and six nieces, Staci Senior, Kaci Thomas, and Kristen Thomas all of Cincinnati, Layla Bea and her husband Thomas of Lancaster, and Arisa Fillgrove and Taylor Fillgrove, both of Ironton.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Friday at Phillips Funeral Home with ministers Jim Williams and Hoyt Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery with military graveside rites by the VFW Post 8850. Visitation will be Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Bill Washburn, Dave Washburn, Brian Washburn, Brad Washburn, Howie Dickess, Bill Bob Ackison, and Austin Thomas. Donations may be made to Central Christian Church, 1541 S. Seventh St., Ironton, OH 45638. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.