Donald W. Thomas

Donald W. Thomas, of Clinton, MD passed on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the age of 88 years. Donald was born on February 6, 1931 in Benedict, MD to the late James Thomas and Martha Butler. Donald lived most of his childhood in Indian Head, MD. His young adult years were spent in Croom, MD where he met Gertrude. As kids, they would often hang out together at a friend’s house. As years past the friendship grew close, and they married on November 6, 1951 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Brandywine, MD. The young couple settled in Washington, DC, and it wasn’t long before Donald was called to service by the United States Army in January of 1952. While Donald was in the United States Army, Gertrude lived in Washington, DC. After Donald was honorably discharged by the United States Army in 1954, the young couple moved to Seat Pleasant, MD, then onto Benedict, MD and shortly afterwards the settled in Clinton, MD. Donald liked big trucks. After his discharge from the United States Army, he worked for District Concrete as a truck driver, and it wasn’t long before he bought his own dump truck. That led to a bigger rig, so he bought his own Kenworth Tractor Trailer. That was when he started on the road as an owner-operator. During that time, Gertrude raised their growing family of three children. After he retired, Donald liked watching TV and smoking his pipe. He relaxed behind the wheel of his John Deere Lawn Tractor and took pride in his lawn. He was an enthusiast of word games, enjoyed and was skilled at solving word search puzzles. Donald was known for being a jokester and although a quiet man, he always had a quick and witty sense of humor. He was a solid man of faith and together with Gertrude, they were parishioners of Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, in Upper Marlboro, MD. Donald was a man of many attributes and left his family with many loving memories. He will be missed. Beloved husband of Gertrude Marie Watson Thomas; devoted father of Cecil Watson of Houston, TX, Trudy Lopez (Freddie) of Monroe, NY and Wendell Thomas (Carol) of Waldorf, MD; dear brother-in-law of James Tolson; loving grandfather of Cecil Watson, Jr., Wayne Burch, Eric Burch, Justin Bell and Whitney Thomas, and great granddaughter of Nicole Johnson. For those desiring, contributions in memory of Donald can be directed to Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Parish Office, 11704 Duley Station Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. A Truckers Prayer Lord please help me to be safe as I travel each mile. Let your presence guide me and bring me a smile. Take care of my family while I am away. Let them know I miss them each and every day. Steer me clear of danger as I cross the country alone. I put my hands in yours Lord. Keep me safe, get me home. Amen To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald W. Thomas please visit our Sympathy Store.