Sidney Thomas

Born in Nashville, Tennessee on July 11, 1924

Departed on August 18, 2017 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville native Sidney Cornelius Thomas, whose zest for life led to a lifetime of laughter and good will, passed away Tuesday in Nashville. He was 93.

Mr. Thomas spent his early years in south Nashville before leaving to attend St. Bernard Academy in Cullman, Alabama through high school. He was a member of the V-12 Navy College Training Program at Georgia Tech where he also played football his freshman year. Mr. Thomas joined the Navy in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater through 1946. Following his graduation from Vanderbilt University, he embarked on a career in the insurance industry as a bond underwriter on large construction projects. His career took him throughout the Southeast, but he was able to achieve his goal of returning to his hometown in 1976. There he found a second vocation as a counselor to inmates in a work release program, an experience he dearly loved.

For fun, and anyone who knows Sid knows how much he loved to have fun, he played sports, watched sports, and was the center of every group laughing the loudest. He shot his age playing golf at the age of 77, and he continued to play golf up to three times a week until he was 88. He bowled, played baseball and softball and was a card shark at family gatherings. He was always game for a new adventure, even learning to downhill ski for the first time at the age of 66. He was the patriarch of the "Meathead Marathon," a Father's Day weekend golf tournament organized by his beloved son Sid Thomas, Jr. The day started with 18 holes of golf, followed by a pool tournament and finished off with a poker game that lasted until the last man dropped.

Sid Thomas was a proud Irish Catholic. His rich tenor was often heard singing "Danny Boy" and numerous Christmas carols. His devotion to his faith was inspiring, and his gift of the gab and friendly welcoming nature illuminated his Irish heritage. During his later years in Bellevue he was a frequent habitué of the Corner Pub where he was welcomed like Norm in the TV series "Cheers." He held court at the bar telling stories, but was equally interested in hearing the stories of others. His body started to fail at the end, but his mind was ever sharp. He made his last appearance at his barstool at the Corner Pub a mere two and a half weeks before his death.

"There are some people in life who make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, and live just a little bit better."

He was predeceased in death by his brother Fate Thomas.

His survivors include his wife of 67 years, Lee Baker Thomas; his daughter Suzanne Thomas Odell (Glen Odell, deceased); his daughter Mary Vicki Thomas; his son Sidney C. Thomas Jr. (Denise Paterson Thomas); his grandchildren Erin Odell Salisbury (Bob); Megan Odell (Jon Ferguson); Kate Odell (Arjan Dehar); Dustin Odell; Sydney Thomas Spurling (Jonathan); Abigail Thomas Rienert (Jon); Emily Thomas; and great grandchildren Luke, Jack, Emelia, Thomas, Islay and Inara.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Henry Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Henry tuition assistance or Alive Hospice.