US Navy Beach Jumpers Assoc.

Stephen Langton Thomas, 77, of Columbia, SC, Lieutenant, United States Navy, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the WJB Dorn VA Medical Center. He was born January 30, 1940 in Charleston, South Carolina, son of the late Elinore Jeanne Scout Thomas and John Anthony Thomas, Sr. Stephen graduated valedictorian from The High School of Charleston in 1957 and graduated from the College of Charleston in 1962. Stephen joined the Navy in 1962, serving in Vietnam, and was discharged in 1972. Later he worked with the Veterans Administration retiring in 1994. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother William C. Thomas, half-sisters Susan (Betsy) T. Peters, Gloria M. Thomas, and Cathryn (Kitty) T. DeCandt and half-brother John (Jack) A. Thomas, Jr. Stephen is survived by his sister, Edith Thomas Dixon of Johns Island, SC, nieces and nephews; Merritt Dixon Pierce (Mark), Michael J. Dixon Sr (Penny), Matthew C. Dixon (Melanie), Melissa Dixon Gallego (Alan), Laura Thomas Rydznski, Billie Thomas Sanderson (David), Jeannett Thomas Snyder (Andre), Sherrie Thomas Hartwell (Mike), half nieces and nephews; John E. Peters, Becky D. Morrow, Gloria D. DeKalb, Patti D. McMakin, Michael DeCandt, Beth T. Warren, and many grands and great- grands, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, The Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 50008, Studio City, CA 91614, or a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister- smith.com. Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley Chapel, 2501 Bees Ferry Road Charleston, South Carolina, 29414, 843-722-8371.

LT. Stephen L. Thomas BJU-2 1965-66 d. 3-01-2017 “Fair winds and following seas”

U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers Association (727) 4-USNBJA