Robert Edward Thomas, age 76, died peacefully in his sleep on December 17, 2023, at his home in Virginia Beach, VA. He was born October 2, 1947, in Saint Petersburg, FL., the son of the late Grover Cleveland and Dolores Thomas-Burdette. He graduated from Baker High School, Columbus, GA., in 1965. Following high school graduation, at the age of 18 he enlisted in the US Navy where he served as an electronics technician for 8 years. Robert was a decorated veteran who served honorably during the Vietnam War. He continued to serve a grateful nation after Vietnam with his enlistment into the US Army Reserve. He met and married the love of his life Betty Marshall, and they resided in Virginia Beach where they shared their love, life, and dreams. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He always seemed to know when those around him needed a kind word or touch. He was the first to give someone a lift by pointing out that person's best attributes. He is predeceased by his father, mother, brother, eldest son, and his wife. He will always be remembered for the way that he called his girls "Sug." His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. He is survived by his 6 children: Donna, of Virginia, Cynthia, of Virginia, Linda, of Tennessee, Kathryn, of Italy, Michael, of Virginia, and Ashley, of Virginia. He is blessed with 13 grandchildren: Jordan, Anthony, Cody, Timothy, Brittney, Alexis, Alisyn, Isabella, Joseph, Kalyn, Kadence, Aubreigh, and Natalie. He is also blessed with 9 great-grandchildren: Arianna, Ivannah, Olivia, Emilia, Alexander, Amirah, Christian, Easton, and Mikai. His wishes will be honored by his family with a traditional military burial service at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, AL. The family requests that expressions of sympathy in his memory be forwarded to https://bluehorsemukwa.org/home.html.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Dec. 24, 2023.