Ira Thomas

Ira Basil Thomas, age 95, of Gala, Virginia died Thursday, September 29, 2022 at his residence.
He was born October 25, 1926 in Collierstown, Rockbridge County, Virginia to the late George Garvin and Mable Vest Thomas. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was an Instrument Maker for the Department of the Navy in Indian Head, Maryland. He enjoyed visiting with neighbors, sitting on his porch, and the time he spent with his son.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carrie Sue Murphy Thomas in 2018, and his son, Wayne Thomas in May of this year.
He is survived by his daughter, Paula Thomas Shipley and husband David of Greensburg, KY; a sister-in-law, Frankie Gorman and husband Bill of Lynchburg, VA; a brother-in-law, Mike Murphy of Richmond, VA; three grandchildren, Stephanie Woodhouse and husband John, Ryan Thomas, and Margaret Thomas and fiancé Jared McCulloch; two great grandchildren, Joshua Woodhouse and Lydia Woodhouse; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Robert McRae officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel United Methodist Cemetery, Botetourt County. The family will receive friends on Saturday afternoon from 12:30 PM until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, New York, 10306.