James Preston Thomas, 77 of Mechanicsville, MD died at his home on December 28, 2011. Born in Westville, FL on March 31, 1934, he was the son of the late Jessie Daughtry Thomas Nelson.

Mr. Thomas was a Staff Sergeant E5 in the US Air Force retiring in 1973. He was an associate engineer at VEDA.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene Bumgardner Thomas; two children, Mark Allen Thomas of Callaway, MD and Lori A. Lang of Dameron, MD; and six grandchildren.

James joined the United States Navy in 1952 having served in the Korean War. While in the Navy he earned the following medals: Navy Good Conduct, China Service Medal (extended), National Defense (3 stars), Navy Sharpshooter, Korea Medal, Korea Service Medal, Longevity, and Navy Expert Rifleman. After four years in the Navy, he then joined the United States Air Force having earned the Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Good Conduct Medal (3 leaves), and Army/Air Force Good Conduct award. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in 1973. He then moved to St. Mary's County working for Grumman Aerospace testing weapons systems on the F-14. He worked for several contractors until he retired from Veda, Inc. as an Associate Engineer in 1996.

James loved hunting and fishing. He was frequently found fishing on the St. Mary's Lake where he was always sure to wear a white shirt and occasionally a red bow tie, "to catch the sophisticated fish."

A life celebration memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at The Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, MD. Friends will be received at the church Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be private.

The family requests memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or the Patuxent Presbyterian Church, 23421 Kingston Creek RD, California, MD 20619.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.