Peter William Thomas

Peter William Thomas died peacefully at his home after a brief illness

from Acute Leukemia on September 28, 2017.

He was born on February 22, 1940, in Bedford, Virginia to the late William

Otey and Eliza Mount Thomas. Pete graduated from Bedford High School in 1958

and entered the United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1962. He

spent the next two years completing Nuclear Power Training and Submarine

Training. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a M.S. degree in

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Commander Thomas served on nuclear fast attack and ballistic missile

submarines in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet. He served on the USS

Plunger (SSN595), the USS Sam Houston (SSBN609) and USS Seadragon (SSN584).

In 1975, Commander Thomas reported to USS Tunny (SSN682) for duty as the

Commanding Officer. He commanded the USS Tunny on the Atlantic Fleet and

later the Pacific Fleet after guiding the ship through the Panama Canal to

Hawaii. He taught sonar at the U.S. Naval Submarine School and served on the

staff of Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet. Commander Thomas retired after a

20-year career.

The President of the United States awarded Commander Thomas the Legion

of Merit. He was also awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in

lieu of Second Award, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation,

the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Medal.

Pete and his family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia and he went to

work for Sperry Marine-Northrup Grumman, chairing the Department of Machinery

Control Systems. This was also a time of enjoying his children: at school, on

the ski slopes from Vermont to Colorado, canoeing, musical and cultural

events. He led a rich and storied life and was seldom without his canoe or

his telescope. After retirement from his second career, Pete returned to

Bedford with his wife and moved into the home where he was born and raised,

“Farmview”.

Christened at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Pete returned and served on

the Vestry, Budget and Finance, as a Lay Reader, a choir member, and as a

Trustee of the church. He served on the Boards of the YMCA, the Bedford

Community Health Foundation, the National D-Day Memorial, the Hospice House

Capital Campaign and the Presbyterian Home in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was a

member of Sigma Xi, a scientific research Honor Society and the Bedford

Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Pete is survived by his wife, Gail Hicks Thomas and daughter, Margaret

Tucker Thomas of Bedford; his son Peter W. Thomas Jr. and wife, Natasha of

Snowmass Village, Colorado; and his greatest joy, his two granddaughters

Devin Eliza Thomas and Peyton Tucker Thomas. Pete is also survived by his

brother, Richard Martin Thomas and his wife Betsy, of Bedford, as well as

numerous cousins and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4 at 11:00 am at

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bedford, followed by a reception at the

church. A family interment will take place prior to the service.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider St.

John’s Church, 314 N. Main St., Bedford, VA 24523, or the Boys Home of

Virginia, 414 Boys home Rd., Covington, VA 24426 or a charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family