Gilmer H. Thomas, 98, of Henderson, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at St. Anthony's Hospice Lucy Smith King Care Center.

He was born in Lyon County, Kentucky, on April 4, 1925.  Gilmer was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, having achieved the rank of Seaman 1st Class and was the last survivor of the USS Bush which was sunk off the coast of Okinawa on April 6, 1945.  He was also a longtime Vocational Agriculture educator having taught three years in Todd County, Kentucky, five years in Christian County, Kentucky, and 25 years in Henderson, Kentucky.  Gilmer was a longtime member of the former Immanuel Baptist Temple, where for 12 years he served in mechanical maintenance.  He also was a present member of Grace Point Church.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Flossie Wilson Thomas, who died December 28, 2001; his second wife, Imogene "Jean" Thomas, who died January 30, 2024; his parents, Lacy and Macie Cummins Thomas; two sisters, Thelma Thomas and Daphne Major; and one brother, Aubrey Thomas.

Survivors include three daughters, Norma Rankin and her husband, Bradley, of Paducah, Kentucky, Esther Thomas of Henderson, Kentucky, and Lisa Major and her husband, Joseph, of Louisville, Kentucky; one stepdaughter, Judy Gaines of Henderson, Kentucky; one stepson, Ricky Gish of Henderson, Kentucky; two sisters, Doris Shelton of Somerset, Kentucky, and Jean Thomas Tuitele of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; one brother, Lacy D. Thomas, Jr., of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; three grandchildren; 13 stepgrandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  The Reverend Eric Fannin will officiate.  Entombment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with full military rites performed by American Legion Worsham Post No. 40.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024, and until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Hospice or Grace Point Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.