Charles C. Thomas, III

Charles Collis Thomas III  aka “Bubba”  was born March 6, 1953, in Jacksonville, Florida to the late Charlotte Crawford & Charles Collis Thomas, II.  He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Sophie Crawford who he affectionately called “ Mother”.
 

Charles attended local schools in Duval County and was a proud graduate of William Marion Raines High School, Class of 1971 “The Mighty Mighty Vikings”.  Charles enlisted in the U.S.  Army and received an honorable discharge in 1975.  He also served in the National Guard for over 10 years. Upon leaving the Army, Charles returned home seeking employment. While casually enjoying a day in Downtown, Jacksonville he crossed paths with his old classmate Clarissa Wright.  They exchanged information, and their first date took place 6 months later.  Smitten by her beauty, he asked for her hand in marriage, and they married on May 7th, 1977. To this union 5 children were born, 3 Angel Babies and 2 Miracle Babies.
 

Charles held many titles during his employment days.  He worked as a Private Investigator, an Insurance Agent, a Delivery Truck Driver with his Father-in-Law, a chemical plant operator, and finally achieving his dream of becoming an Owner Operator of an 18-wheeler which allowed him to see and travel 46 states including Canada.
 

Charles was a very quiet person, until he needed to get his point across.  He was a man of magnetism drawing people around him to listen to what he had to say. Charles loved to play Bid Whist, inviting everyone on the street for a challenge.  He loved to travel by plane, by boat and car if he wasn’t driving.
 

Charles was preceded in death by his Angel Babies: Twins Charleton & Chianti, and Chauncey: his mother, Charlotte Crawford; father, Charles C. Thomas II; his grandmother, Sophie Crawford; grandfather, Joseph Crawford; sister, Jacquelyn Carter Haynes.
 

Charles departed this life on Friday, May 29th, he fought a good fight, he finished his course, he kept the faith and the victory was won.
 

Charles leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife of 49 years, Clarissa W. Thomas whom he affectionally called “Hootie”; children, Charles Thomas, IV and Charisse Thomas; Grandchildren, J’Niya “Boop” Thomas, JaQuan “P-Nut” Coffey, Charles Thomas V, So’Unique Thomas, and China Thomas; Siblings, Peggy Ramsey, Carol Holland, Odell Carter, and Leatrice Carter; Adoptive Sister, Charlene Ratcliffe; Aunts/Uncles, Gwendolyn M. Bailey, Mary Esther Murray, Shirley Hinson, Gloria Roberts, Elouis Reed-Randall, and Eddie Lee Wright (Catherine); Special Friend of the Family, Gloria Bryant; A devoted Cousin, Debra Harris; Special childhood friends, Larry Moments (Gwen), Jerome Byrd (Carolyn), William Turpin (Lynn), Guy Cotton (Bettye), Frank Corley, John Meuse, John Oliver Huntley, Marcellus Jackson, Patrick Grier, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who truly loved him.

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