Roger Dale Thomas, Sr.

Roger D. Thomas, Sr., 83 passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, July 2nd. Roger was born in Hot Coal, West Virginia. He was the eldest son of the late Fred and Betty (Hartwell) Thomas of Beckley, West Virginia.

Roger graduated from Pineville High School in Pineville, West Virginia. Roger was a Letterman of the Minutemen Football Team during his high school years.

After leaving school, he and his wife, Ruth (Bailey) Thomas moved to Grants, New Mexico, where Roger worked in uranium mines. He later moved to Rolla, Missouri and then to Globe, Arizona, where worked in a copper mine for a number of years. He later was transferred to Marion, Illinois to assist opening one of the largest coal mines in the United States, Galatia Mine, from which he retired when it shut down after Roger was in his 70's. Roger was a Master Electrician and made many inroads in that field.

Roger liked to hunt and fish. He also had a shop at home where he loved to be when he wasn’t working. He received a hammer from his grandchildren inscribed on the handle “If Papaw can't do it, nobody can.”

Roger believed God’s word and had fellowship in a worldwide non-denominational Christian fellowship throughout his life.
Roger and Ruth had many services in their own home.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his son, James (Jimmy) Thomas, his sister, Karen, and three brothers, Darwin, Adrian and Gary Thomas.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 64 years, Ruth (Bailey) Thomas, daughters Elizabeth (Liz) and her husband Andrew Aragon, and Caroline Murphy; sons, Roger Jr. and wife Twila, and Christopher; brothers, Arlie, Farrell and Fred; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Roger was loved dearly by all his family and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home under the direction of Binkley-Ross. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at Blue Funeral Home located at 1704 North Court Street, Marion, Illinois. The funeral service will begin at noon. Interment to follow at Maplewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests with gratitude that memorial donations be directed to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Visit www.binkleyross.com to leave condolences online for the family.