Ernest Thomas ("Squiggy" to his children and close friends) passed away on October 29, 2018, at Hospice House in Monroe, following a three-month illness. Until August of this year, Ernest worked six days a week, between his job as a truck driver with Baucom Farms and operating a bulldozer for his son, Skip. His work ethic was one of his most defining character traits, having worked since his childhood days at various jobs.
Ernest was born on January 30, 1939, the son of Ruth and Wayne Thomas. He graduated from New Salem High School in 1957, where he was a member of the State Championship baseball team. Some of those team members remained his closest friends throughout the years .
Ernest retired from Lance, Inc. and also operated Thomas Farms with his brother, Roy. He also was part owner of T & T Trucking, with his son, Scotty, and later was part owner of Thomas Dozing with son, Skip. Ernest loved running a bulldozer more than any other work.
Ernest loved to work, but the love of his life was his family. Ernest married Brenda Furr in 1960 and together they raised three children, Scotty, Skip and Kelli. He and Brenda were married for 52 years and their world revolved around spoiling their grandchildren.
After Brenda's death, Ernest remarried in 2013 and enjoyed 5 ½ happy years with his second wife, Joyce. Ernest and Joyce were a very integral part of their Sunday School class at New Home and they really enjoyed the "Young at Heart" senior citizen group. Their Chihuahua mix, Maggie, brought them both much joy.
Other things that brought Ernest joy were Christmas, old-time gospel music, home cooking, pocketknives and Mountain Dew . His family members looked forward to his annual phone call on their birthdays, at which time he would sing "Happy Birthday to You". He had a special nickname for almost everyone in the family and refused to call them by their real name.
Ernest is survived by his wife, Joyce, his sons Scotty Thomas, Skip Thomas (Tammy) both of Peachland and his daughter, Kelli Jones (Eugene) of Polkton. He is also survived by his brother Roy and wife, Raeann, who was like a sister to Ernest. His grandchildren are Brandon Thomas and Tyler Thomas of Peachland, Lauren McKelvey (Mitchell) of Kannapolis, Elizabeth and Noah Jones of Polkton , Katelyn Mumford (Jake) of Marshville and great-grandson, Hunter Thomas, of Peachland. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Kim Pugh and her son Brant of Peachland, his stepsons, Dewayne Creager (Ann) of Alabama and Mike Creagar (Angela) of Fayetteville. He is also survived by special nephews, Jeff Furr (Darlene), Richie Thomas (Michelle) and their sons, Jayden and Logan and by his sister-in-law, Dean Efird.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Ernest will be 11 am Friday, November 2, 2018 at New Home Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-7 pm at Morgan & Son Funeral Home.The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Union County or New Home Baptist Church, 1617 New Home Church Rd, Peachland, NC 28133
Online condolences may be made at morganandsonfuneralhome.com.