James "Jim" Thomas

James “Jim” Woodrow Thomas, 76, of Oak Hill, WV, passed away on December 18, 2025, in a hospital in Fairfax, VA.  Born on January 19, 1949, in Sutton, WV, he was the son of the late Woodrow Thomas and Norma Jean (Dodrill) Thomas. After graduating from Nicholas County High School, he went on to a distinguished military service in the Air Force for four (4) years. Jim served as a C-141 crew chief at McGuire Air Force Base during the Vietnam War, receiving an honorable discharge with three (3) medals: National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Medal.

      He then returned to Nicholas County, WV, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for the coal industry, a truck driver, and a construction worker. A natural leader, Jim was frequently chosen by his peers to head the organizations he cared about. He served as President of his Sunday school class at Beulah Baptist Church and as President of his local United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) union.

      He enjoyed playing sports and card games, camping, watching television, and collecting guns, coins, and clocks. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was known for passionately advocating for his principles, including hard work, helping neighbors, showing respect to others, standing up to bullying, and being responsible.

      He is survived by his son Kevin (Jennifer) Thomas of Oakton, VA; daughter Lindsay Thomas of Charleston, WV; sister Barbara (Darius) Cook of Summersville, WV; sister Rebecca (Gary) Keyser of Akron, OH; sister Shirley Meeks, of Santa Rosa, CA; granddaughter Chiara Thomas, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow Thomas; mother Norma Jean Thomas, sister, Mary Jean Sondergaard, and brother, Steven Buell Thomas.

      Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at noon, at Southern Baptist Fellowship in Summersville, WV. It will be immediately followed by a funeral service at 1:00pm. under the direction of the White-Anderson Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

      In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.

      Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitefuneralhomewv.com

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