[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 117 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF RETIRED MISSISSIPPI FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT 
                    CHANCERY JUDGE CHARLES D. THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2018

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life 
of one of Mississippi's most devoted citizens and public servants, 
retired Chancery Judge Charles D. Thomas. Judge Thomas passed away on 
Thursday, April 19, 2018. Judge Thomas was born on August 28, 1936, in 
Collins, Mississippi. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. William Otis 
Thomas, Sr.
  Upon graduation from high school, Judge Thomas attended school at 
Marion Institute in Alabama. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the 
University of Mississippi School of Law. Following graduation, Judge 
Thomas began a distinguished career practicing law at the Doty and 
Thomas Law Firm in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Judge Thomas was well-known 
for his skills as an attorney which served him well when he entered 
into public service as the First Judicial District of Mississippi 
Chancery Court Judge in 1993. Governor Kirk Fordice appointed Judge 
Thomas to fill the remainder of the term that was vacated by First 
Judicial District Chancery Judge Jim Roberts.
  Bill Benson, Lee County Chancery Court administrator, said that Judge 
Thomas was a good judge who was known for being fair. ``Judge Thomas 
was a fair judge with rulings that were on point,'' Benson said. ``He 
was well in command of his courtroom. You had no doubt who was in 
charge.''
  Judge Thomas was also known to be a loyal friend. If you were his 
friend, he would go to any lengths to help you. Danny Weatherly, a 
devoted friend of Judge Thomas in Pontotoc, said he was a person who 
enjoyed conversations with people from all walks of life. ``He was an 
intelligent, successful man and down to earth,'' Weatherly said. ``He 
loved to fellowship with everyone--especially those who loved Ole Miss 
Athletics as much as he did.''
  Judge Thomas made friends in both the civilian and military worlds. 
He was a U.S. Army veteran. He served as a commander in the Pontotoc 
National Guard. Additionally, Judge Thomas was a member of the Pontotoc 
American Legion Post #16 and the Pontotoc Masonic Lodge #81. Judge 
Thomas was an active member of the Pontotoc Rotary Club. He also served 
on the First National Bank Board of Directors.
  In 2006, Judge Thomas retired from public office and spent much of 
his time studying his favorite book--the Holy Bible. He was known as a 
scholar of the Bible and enjoyed studying scripture in a variety of 
translations. His favorite Bible verse was John 3:16, ``For God so 
loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever 
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.''
  Judge Thomas is a man I am grateful to have known. His devotion to 
God, America and his fellow man will always be remembered. My thoughts 
and prayers are with Judge Thomas' family and friends.

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