CARIBOU – Frederick A. Thomas, 76, died peacefully Sept. 20, 2009, in the presence of his family in, Bangor after a long illness. Fred was born July 1, 1933, in Caribou, the son of Alfred C. and Evelyn (Warnock) Thomas. He was a graduate of Caribou High School, Class of 1951, and a graduate of Southern Technical Institute, Class of 1955, with a degree in gaseous fuels technology. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957. Fred owned and operated Northeastern Supply Co., Caribou, for 60 years. He was a member of Caribou United Baptist Church. Fred was the state of Maine director to National LP Gas Association for more than 25 years, and was treasurer and past president of the Propane Gas Association of Maine. Fred was also a member of Boy Scouts of America for more than 45 years; a member of LDA Zoning Board; and a past member and chairman of Zoning Board of Appeals, Caribou. He was a loving and devoted husband and father to his family. Surviving, in addition to his wife of 56 years, Annella (Tupper) Thomas of Caribou, are three sons and their families, Frederick Thomas Jr. and his wife, Beverly, of Washburn, George Thomas and his wife, Regina, and Elvin Thomas and his wife, Tammy, all of Caribou; two daughters and their families, Karen Henderson and her husband, Jim, of Caribou, and Evelyn “Lynn” Dow and her husband, Dwayne, of Wade; a brother, David Thomas and his wife, Muriel, of Caribou; two sisters, Harriet Jackson of Thornton, Texas, and Beverly Hightower and her husband, David, of Texas; three sisters-in-law, Janice Thomas of Florida, Alice Crawford of Florida, and Norma Ackerson and her husband, Hugh, of Woodland; a brother-in-law, Wallace Tupper and his wife, Linda, of Perham; 17 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Richard Thomas; brothers-in-law, Bill Jackson and George Tupper; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary and Elvin Tupper. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the chapel of Mockler Funeral Home with the Rev. Josh Burden officiating. Interment with military honors will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Caribou. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to contribute in memory of Fred may do so to Caribou United Baptist Church Memorial Fund. Envelopes may be obtained through the funeral home. For an online register, please go to www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
FREDERICK A. THOMAS
