Louis C. Thomas

GARNER- Louis Carlyle Thomas, 79, died Monday, in his home, as a result of congestive heart failure. Born in Pine City, NY, he was the son of the late William H. and Addie Baker Thomas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Esther, Blanche, and Emma; brothers, Wesley, Donald, and William.In 1951, he graduated from Elmira Southside High School and in 1953, he was drafted into the Army and served as a tank turret mechanic in the 16th Regiment of the 1st Division. He attended DeVry University in Chicago, obtaining a first class FCC License with a Radar Endorsement in 1956 and graduated in 1957 with an AAS Degree in Electronic Technology and Design.Lou retired from IBM in 1992 after 32 years as an Engineering Manager in the Store Systems Manufacturing Group. He received a General Managers award in 1986 for elimination of costs and program delays and received numerous recognitions for cost effectiveness while working as a manufacturing manager. In 1971, he was president of the IBM Club. He coached little league baseball, men and womens softball, flag football and mens basketball in IBM recreational programs as well as in the Garner area youth recreational programs. Lou was an avid bowler, participating in all levels of sanctioned tournaments. He was Secretary/ Executive Director of the Raleigh Bowling Association for over 10 years and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2005. He was active in the Garner Band Boosters, serving as president in 1974. He was a member of the Garner Mens Bridge Club and a life member of the Garner VFW. After his retirement, he ran Thomas Consultant Service from his home for 2 years.Funeral Services will be 2:00 pm Friday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Chapel, Garner. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5-8:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Roberta Garris Thomas; brother, Wayne Thomas; daughter, Deana Kirsch and husband, Chris; sons, Thomas and wife, Joyce, Tracy and wife, Tammy and Theodore and wife, Lesia; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to Garner Civitan Club/ Pop Warner Football ( Louis Thomas in memo line), 1005 Poole Drive, Garner, NC 27529.