James Edward Thomas

James Edward “Jim” Thomas peacefully passed away on July 30, 2026, at 12:40 pm, in Titusville, Florida. He was the son of the late Roy James Thomas and Olive Jane McGinley Thomas of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Geraldine “Jeri” Shutters. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth B. Thomas with whom he shared 21 cherished years, and his children Ruth Anne Palumbo (Dave), James Daniel Thomas (Trish), Pamela Jane Thomas (Kevin Long), Frederick Scott Thomas (Heidi), his eleven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, his sister Mary Jane Emrich (Claud, deceased) of Louisville, Kentucky, and brother-in-law Hugh W. Shutters (Jeri, deceased) of Hixson, Tennessee.

Jim attended Georgia Tech and the University of Tennessee, graduating from UT with a degree in Mechanical Aerospace Engineering; he played varsity baseball at both institutions. Upon graduation, he accepted a position at Pratt & Whitney in Palm Beach County, FL, retiring after 33 years as an Aerospace Engineer in 1992. After retirement, he lived in Florida, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, and, most recently, on Merritt Island, Florida.

Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed baseball, hunting, fishing, and boating, as well as any sport associated with the University of Tennessee. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, family trips to the Bahamas, the Keys, lobstering, and boating. He also cherished time with his sisters and extended family, gathering most 4th of Julys in Tennessee. Wherever he lived, Jim enjoyed having leadership roles in his neighborhood associations and worked hard to make his world a better place for all.

Jim & Ruth enjoyed family gatherings and their travels to the Grand Canyon National Park, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, and their Princess Cruise to the British Isles.