Rodger Brent Thomas

Rodger Brent Thomas, 75, of Greenwood, husband of Pamela Hamby Thomas, died Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Rock Hill, SC to the late Goldie and Mildred Cauthen Thomas. Brent was a graduate of Fort Mill High School Class of 1960 where he enjoyed participating in baseball and football sports. Brent retired with 23 years of service with the United States Navy. His military career was a source of pride having served with University of South Carolina ROTC, in Vietnam, and Guantanamo Bay, ending his naval career with a tour of duty from Charleston on the USS Wainwright. Brent was a member of the American Legion Post 2 and American Legion Riders of Abbeville. Brent later enjoyed a 27 year career in management with Park Seed Company, Greenwood. While at Park Seed, he was a Logistics Consultant and a USPS MTAC member in Washington, DC. He was also a valued member of the National Mail Order Gardening Association as a Logistics Consultant. Brent, widely known for his witty personality, was highly respected and well loved. His family was the light of his life. Neighbors and children in the Oakwood Farms community benefited from his knowledge and experience. They were constantly available and during his illness assisted in every possible way. Brent is survived by his wife of 26 years of the home; four children, Rodger Thomas (Steve Dumas) of Tucker, GA, Rhonda Erneston (Andy) of Lake Charles, LA, Cody Giles (Lindsay) of Abbeville, SC, and Trevor Giles (Martha) of Baltimore, MD; John Giles, who held a special place in his life of Hilton Head, SC; ten grandchildren, Adam Thomas, Emily (Andrew) Sargent, Jenni (Warren) Chandler, and Molly (Jared) Auwen, all of Oregon, Thomas Erneston and Christian Erneston of Lake Charles, LA, Sterling Giles and Abel Giles of Abbeville, SC; Christian Giles and Leila Giles of Baltimore, MD; a great-grandson, William Chandler of Oregon; a brother, Arnold Thomas (Charlene) of Fort Mill, SC and a sister, Dianne Holt of Fort Mill, SC. Graveside Services, with full military honors, will be 3:00PM, Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Farhed Mohajer officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Grant Harrison, Curtis Alexander, Brian Freeman, Vernon Allen, David Pickell, and Tyler Brown In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in memory of Brent, may be sent to A Place For Us, PO Box 797, Greenwood, SC 29648 or Southside Baptist Church, Family Life Building Fund, PO Box 237, Abbeville, SC 29620. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES of Abbeville is assisting the Thomas family.