Wilson Cooper Thomas

Wilson Cooper Thomas, 93, widower of Mildred Edwina Reiter Thomas, of Summerville, SC entered into eternal rest Tuesday, July 10, 2012. A funeral service will be held in Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church Friday, July 13, 2012 at 2:00 pm. Interment, Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.

Wilson was born November 1, 1918 in Reevesville, SC, the son of Fred Cornelius Thomas, Sr. and Lina Smith Thomas. In 1937 he worked as a salesman for Claussen's Bakery in Charleston. In 1942 while working as a shipfitter foreman supporting the war effort he enlisted in the Navy and qualified as a deep sea diver during his year on active duty. After his navy duty Mr. Thomas returned to Charleston to his job as a sales supervisor with the bread company where he worked until the company was sold in 1962. He accepted an appointment in the Charleston Naval Shipyard and worked as warehouse foreman with the Naval Supply Center until he retired in 1982. He was a founding member of Faith Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church on Johns Island, SC and a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Summerville, SC. He acted as Fire Commissioner for St. Johns Fire District for 19 years and was a past President of Johns Island Civic Club. He was a member of the Order of the Elks for 57 years. Wilson was past Master of Masonic Fidelity Lodge #302 where he was a member for 65 years and a 32 degree Mason of the Scottish Rite.

He is survived by two sons: Wilson C. Saenger (Mary) of Fergus Falls, MN and Dr. Kenneth P. Thomas (Katherine) of Raleigh, NC; one daughter: Karen T. Sykes (James "Pickle") of Summerville, SC; one sister: Jeanne T. Brouthers of James Island, SC; one step-son Francis J. Clark of Charleston, SC; seven grandchildren: Mark Saenger (Marla) of Big Lake, MN, Sharon Diebert (Scott) of Minnetonka, MN, Cooper Thomas (Paige) of Covington, KY, William Thomas of Raleigh, NC, John O'Neill (Sandy) of Las Vegas, NV, Meredith O'Flaherty of Reno, NV and Sean O'Neill of Summerville, SC; numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He is predeceased by two grandchildren, Legare Thomas and Jeffrey Saenger. The family thanks Sarah Alston, his caregiver for many months. She was a true blessing.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3374 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 106 Central Ave., Summerville, SC 29483, or Lutheran Hospice, 1885 Rifle Range Road, Suite 46, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.

A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.