John Dewey Thomas, a lifelong resident of the Thomas community, died Saturday evening April 15, 2017, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital.

He was a longtime member of Thomas First Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for over 50 years. Dewey was the owner/operator of Thomas Tractor Sales.  He served for many years on the Washington Parish Police Jury and also on the Washington Parish School Board. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War era.

He is survived by: his wife of 60 years, Frankie Dillon Thomas of Thomas; son and daughter-in-law, David and Dwana Thomas of Thomas; two grandchildren, Matthew Thomas and Jessica Thomas; brother, Douglas Thomas of Thomas; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Ada Merle Menish and Ledonia Hill, both of Bogalusa, and Janette and Tommy Ahlman of Thomas; sister-in-law, Shirley Thomas of Thomas; and also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Commodore Thomas and Marie Ard Thomas; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Simon and Elizabeth Thomas, Phillip Thomas; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and Herman Thomas, Waver and Houston Jordan, Isabelle and James Hayman; and a sister-in-law, Christine Thomas.

Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Sunday, April 16, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation continued Monday at Thomas First Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. A funeral service was held in the church at 11 a.m. Monday with Rev. Shadd Pittman and Eld. Richard Magee officiating. Burial followed in the Thomas Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to the Thomas First Baptist Church Building Fund (30354 Highway 424, Franklinton, LA 70438).

Pallbearers were Clay Thomas, Mike Thomas, Sean Caldwell, Ronald Bello, Randy Branch and Bradley Barber. Honorary pallbearers were Clayton “Dinky” Knight, Johnny Crain, Dr. Jerry Thomas, David Wood, Bobby Crowe and deacons of Thomas First Baptist Church Harold Thomas, Robbie Michel, Danny Thomas, Lewis Breland, and David “Squirrel” Thomas.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.