Russell Frederick Thomas, 87, died Jan.1 at the Ponce Care Center. He was born in Leominster.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific Combat Theater and in China during World War II. He later went to California Polytechnic State University where he studied Poultry Husbandry. Upon his return to Massachusetts he worked at Mt. Ida College in Newton.
He married his first wife, Roween Morrell, and started his own poultry farm in South Easton, Massachusetts which he operated from 1950 to 1969. He then moved to St. Augustine, Fla. where he worked as a Purchasing Agent for Flagler College for several years before opening another business of his own, the Friendship Shop, and an imprinting business.
In 1980, he married his second wife, Rayma Holloway. He leaves his wife Rayma, his children Wayne, Ray, Wallace, Nancy Thomas Smith, and Beth Holloway, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many other family and friends. The family would especially like to thank the staff of the Ponce Care Center and Community Home Health for their special love, care, and assistance given to Mr. Thomas while in their care.
A Memorial Service was held Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Craig Funeral Home. Flowers are gratefully accepted as well as donations to the Wounded Warrior Project and to the Disabled American Veterans. Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park (www.craigfuneralhome.com) is in charge of arrangements.
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