Mr. James Earl (Tamp) Thomas Sr. was born January 6, 1935, in Columbus, MS to the late Booker Thomas and Mary Lou Newman. On Thursday, September 12, 2024, he completed his assignment and was called home to be with the Lord.

He was a loving and faithful father until his death. He loved his family and was loved by his family. He worked at Sanderson Plumbing for many years and went throughout the community on his tractor preparing gardens for his neighbors. He also loved gardening.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Annie (Winnie) Thomas; one sister, Louise Watson; two daughters, Dorothy Williams and Ogerita Coley, one son, John Earl Thomas, one grandson, Kwame Thomas, a special aunt, Mandy Lou Bonner, and one son-in-law, Jimmy Valentine.

He leaves to cherish his memories: two daughters: Sharon Boyd and Mary Valentine; four sons, James (Tanya) Thomas, Alfonzo (Barbara) Thomas and Paul (Patrick) Thomas, Dennis (Alice) Sherrod; and one son-in-law, Eddie Dean Coley all of Columbus, MS; two brothers, Theodis Thomas of Chicago, IL and TJ Thomas of Muskogee, MI; a special nephew, Jim Wilkerson (Delois) of Brooksville, MS; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.