Franklin M. Thomas, Jr. died peacefully at the home of Carolyn and Bruce Thomas and Mary Ruos in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, on Thursday, March 2, 2023, after an illness. The family is especially grateful to Mary for her hospitality and to the staff of the Hospice of the Panhandle for the assistance they provided in the last months of Frank’s life.
Frank was born in Hagerstown, Maryland on August 17, 1927 and was the son of Franklin Mumma Thomas of Hagerstown and Grace Howard Thomas from York, Pennsylvania.
Frank was a graduate of St. James School (1945) and was a corporal in the United States Army from 1945 to 1946 where he served with the Corps of Engineers. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1950 with a B.S. in Economics.
Frank was President and CEO of Central Chemical Corporation, that produced fertilizers and agricultural chemicals used in local agriculture and by the United Nations and U.S. government in aid programs to fight malaria in Africa.
Frank attended Faith Christian Fellowship of Williamsport, MD and was a member of the Hagerstown Rotary Club and the American Legion and had served as Chairman of the Volunteers of America and as a First National Bank advisory board member.
Frank is survived by four sons, Franklin Blair Thomas (wife Katie) of Gettysburg, PA; Mark Duvall Thomas (wife Jean) of Hagerstown, MD; Bruce Howard Thomas (wife Carolyn) of Shepherdstown, WV; and David Lauran Thomas of Hagerstown, MD; five grandchildren Franklin Thomas; Josh Thomas (wife Emily); Julie Thomas; Christian Thomas (wife Amy); and Carl Thomas; two great grand children, Jacob Lind and Lily Thomas.
Frank is also survived by his long time companion, Madolyn (Madge) McAbee of Hagerstown, MD and her family, Lindsay Norris; Douglas McAbee; Julie Parker; and Emilee Draper and was preceded in death by Mark McAbee.
Frank was a long time fan of the Washington Redskins and enjoyed reading, traveling, dancing, Bible Study class with the Young At Heart Group of his church and spending time with his family.
The Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, Hagerstown, is assisting the family with arrangements. A private graveside service was held for his family. A Memorial of Life Celebration will be at Faith Christian Fellowship, Williamsport, on Saturday, May 20, beginning at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Gordon R. McDaniel officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to in Mr. Thomas’s name to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
