Hugh Thomas, salesman, passed away July 9, 2017. He was born on Friday, September 13, 1935 in Arkabutla, MS. Hugh was the youngest of 9 children born to Haskell and Dubbie Allen Thomas. Hugh’s siblings were Otis, Mildred, Leroy, Virginia, Bobby, Laura, Charles and Louis. Being a member of a farm family, Hugh became a full time farm hand at an early age. He attended public schools in Tate County and graduated as Valedictorian in Arkabutla, MS. Hugh Thomas was a true salesman. He began his sales career at the age of 10 selling garden seeds for Lancaster Seed Company. He went door to door in the winter months showing pictures of ripe fruits and vegetables to customers and this is where he learned to let the sizzle sell the steak. After school and military service, he began a full time sales career with the Lamar Life Insurance company where he established the Hugh Thomas Life Insurance Agency in Hernando, MS. After 27 years there, Hugh began a new sales career associated with Cadillac Division of General Motors at a local distribution point. This career lasted almost 20 years and afforded him the opportunity to become a member of the National Cadillac Club, which included only the top 9 Cadillac salespersons in the nation. Hugh was a third degree Master Mason and a York Rite Mason. His membership was at the Hernando lodge where he served as Master of the Lodge for 3 consecutive years. While serving in this position, he steered the finances to build the first lodge building in Hernando since the Civil War, during which time the lodge building, along with the courthouse and other buildings, were burned down by the Union Army. He received the 50 year membership certificate from the Mississippi Grand Lodge in 2009. Other civic activities included Jaycees, Lion’s Club, and Rotary with Paul Harris designation. He also served 4 years on the board of the Mississippi Economic Development Council. Hugh loved country music (especially Johnny, Willie, Waylon, Kris, Jerry Lee, and Merle). He loved the American Flag, Mississippi State football, The United States Army, and served for 10 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard (2 of which were full time). Being a Christian from an early age, Hugh loved Jesus and the Holy Bible, which he read through completely from Genesis to the maps several times, and continued to read daily. He depended on Jesus to bring him through good and bad times – good and bad choices. He took Jesus at His word in John 3:16 and John 14, that he will be home with Jeanie, his wife of 16 years, daughter, Terri Thomas Wilson, his parents Haskell and Dubbie Thomas, sisters Mildred Bennett and Virginia Byler, brothers Otis, Leroy, Bobby, Charles, and Louis, sister-in-law Katie Franks Thomas and Lougenia Sinquefield Thomas, brother-in-laws Thomas Bennett, E. J. Byler, Louis Dixon, niece Elaine Dixon, nephews Leroy Thomas, Jr, Merle Byler, and Eddie Thomas, and great-nephews Byron Thomas and Thomas Dixon. He will be anxiously awaiting to join him in heaven, son Timothy Thomas, grandsons Jon Thomas Wilson and Jake Tate Wilson, sister Laura Dixon, sisters-in-law Geraldine Wright Thomas, Elsie Powers Thomas, and Lottie Goin Thomas, and also 32 nieces and nephews, their children and their children’s children, the number of which could fill 3 Greyhound buses. Special acknowledgements to Donna, mother of Tim and Terri, Linda, a true loyal friend, Goof, support through the early Cadillac days, June, bridge over troubled waters, Betty, a true angel caregiver, Margie, a true advisor and friend, members of The Hood, and also 4 great pastors and ministers, Bill, Jimmy, Randy, and John. Parting thoughts; After 81 years of perpetual motion, if you ask him, he would smile and say, “Some were magic and some were tragic. But I had a good life all the way”. The family will receive friends from 10:30 – 11:30 am, Thursday, July 13 followed by funeral services at Memorial Park Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, you may instead direct memorials to the American Cancer Society. Interment in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, Memphis, TN (Obituary published by Memorial Park)