Deacon John H. Thomas
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Deacon John H.
Thomas on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, 11:30 a.m., at Church of the Epiphany, Richmond. Deacon Thomas, 95, died on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Born in Long Beach, California, Deacon Thomas grew up in Rotan, Texas. He served in the United States Navy and became a Virginia state trooper. He graduated from law school and was later appointed to the bench as a juvenile and domestic relations judge in Chesterfield County. He continued as a substitute judge after his retirement for many years.
A devout Catholic, Deacon Thomas was ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Richmond on June 6, 1992. He served as a permanent deacon at Church of the Epiphany, Richmond, until age 85. He also served as chancellor of the Diocese of Richmond from 2007 to 2014.
Deacon Thomas is survived by his wife, Maralyn Thomas; daughter, Leah-Beth Williams (Gary Futrell); daughter, Linda (Bob) Copenhaver; son, Jay (Cathy) Thomas; and numerous grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Thomas; son, Robert Thomas; sister, Luleen Thomas; grandsons, Andrew Thomas and James Thomas; and son-in-law, Ralph Williams.