Roy Earl Thomas

Roy Earl Thomas, 86, known as "Uncle Roy" to countless children through Bancroft Bible Camp and the local Christian schools, finally retired from his earthly ministry when the Lord welcomed him home to heaven on Monday evening at Indian Path Medical Center. He continued to minister to those around him right up until the time of his death.

Born on January 17, 1923 in Chicago, IL, to Harry and Sylvia Thomas, his parents both died young and he was raised in a Lutheran Orphanage in Chicago. Roy entered the Navy at age 18, faithfully serving his country for six years. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked and often told stories of eating breakfast when he heard the sound of enemy planes and remembered the helpless feeling of having no ammunition to fight back.

He accepted Christ while in the Navy and upon his discharge traveled with Ted Fix leading the singing for the Fix-Thomas Evangelistic Team. They were often in the Tri-Cities area for meetings during the early 1950's. He met his wife, Evelyn and then attended Bible College to complete his education and become a minister.

He pastored churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee before becoming a missionary for Bancroft Gospel Ministry here in Kingsport. He served there faithfully for twenty-five years until illness made it impossible. He resided at Brookhaven Manor for the past seven months.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Thomas and by his mother-in-law, Lucy McNeill on March 21, 2009.

Surviving are his wife, Evelyn Thomas, Kingsport, TN; daughter, Martha Dingus and husband, Jeff, Kingsport, TN; son, David Thomas, Orlando, FL; two grandchildren, Sarah and Nicholas Dingus; sister, Elsie Gorenz, Chicago, IL; two sisters-in-law, Donna Richards, Christiansburg, VA; and Linda McNeill, Whiteville, NC; special friend, Liz Emmons, Wichita, KS; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Homeland Baptist Church and any time at the home of his daughter, Martha Dingus.

Services will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the church with Pastor J. W. Depew and Rev. Guy Tilley officiating. Music will be provided by Damon Depew.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Holston View Cemetery. Deacons of Homeland Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Bancroft Gospel Ministries, 141 Bancroft Private Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660 and Homeland Baptist Church, 2504 Hawaii Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.