The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-02-13
JAMES MORGAN THOMAS

| for q visit 10 old friends and boyhood
scenes in Alabama, were surprised
and saddened couple of weeks later
| to learn that instead of enjoying the
rest and recuperation he hoped for
/ that he had been taken very Ill, and
was in a hospital in Montgomery. As
the days went on and reports on MS
sickness became more alarming, their
sympathy and concern increased Ihey
were cheered last week, however, to
learn there was some improvement IN
his condition, only to be shocked and
saddened by the news of his death
late Saturday night.
Mr.. Thomas was in his forty-eightt
wear. He was a native Of Southeast
ern Alabama, but went to Atlanta II
his Young manhood, working his way
I'D to a high place in the business
world by his intelligence and indus
trv. He was with the Fourth Natios-
al Bank of Atlanta for fffeen
wears. and came to Ocala ten gears
ago, to take the position of cashier
of the Munroe & Chambliss National
Bank. He took high pace at once
in the business circles Of this city, and
| it is no exaggeration to say that in
the history of Ocaia no man has
more quickly won or staunchly held
the confidence of the people. Prac-
itical and progressive, as sincerely in
Iterestef in the advancement of the
community as in his own affairs, gen
erous and helpful with all that was
good, staunch friend to his friends
and with nature above small enmi-
ties, Jimmy" Thomas was a man
whom Ocala could i'll spare, will great
ly miss and will sincerely mourn.
Mr.. Thomas life was one of con-
slant service. He was a Spanish
American war veteran, being station
ed at the Chickamauga camp during
that conflict, and it was no fault of
his that he never saw a battlefield;
as it was, his trained mind, zeal and
industry enabled him to do good work
for his country. He was physically
unable to enlist in the world-war, but
no man in proportion to his ability
and opportunity, did more hard work
at home for the government He was
of great service in helping to raise
Marion county's quota of the five
great loans that financed the war. His
death came at the end of twenty
eight years of constant business ap-
plication, not to speak of his boyhood
days, which were given more to work
than play. In over ten years associa-
ton with the Munroe & Chambliss
Bank, he took less than two months
vacation. Opportunities for rest were
often offered him, but he took more
pleasure in the steady performance of
his duties and daily meeting with his
friends, and on the few times that he
left his post for week or two he
was almost driven from it by his bust
ness associates, who realized his need
for recuperation better than he did.
Mr.. Thomas was treasurer of the
Board of Trade in 1919 and 1920, vice
president in 1921 and elected to the
board of governors for 1922.
Mr.. Thomas was unmarried Some
eight or nine years ago, he adopted
the daughters of one of his sisters,
Misses Ruby, Callie and Lucille Gis-
sendaner. The three girls made their
home with and kept house for him, and
have made for themselves precious
place in the hearts of their Ocala
friends. Mr.. Thomas also leaves a
nephew, Robert Gissendaner, three
brothers, Messrs. Hendrix Thomas of
Greenville, S. c.; Charles Thomas of
Green Falls, Mont, and Harry Thorn
as of Lowell, Ark, and a sister who
lives in North Carolina.
The remains of Mr.. Thomas will ar
rive from Montgomery this afternoon.
The Ocala banks and Board of Trade
sent to Jacksonville to escort the
body home the following gentlemen:
Messrs. L. W. Duval and L. R. Chazal,
for the Munroe & Chambliss National
Bank; G. 5. Cullen, Ocala National
Bank; Roger Dodd, for the CONNER
cial Bank; L. H. Chazal, for the Board
of Trade.
His eldest niece, now Mrs. Oscar
Berger, of Little Rock, Ark, is on the
way to Ocala and is expected this eve
ming; and it is believed that at least
two, perhaps all three of his brothers,
will also arrive to be present at the
funeral.
The funeral services for Mr..
Thomas will take place at his late
residence, 334 Oklawaha avenue, at
2:30 tomorrow afternoon. The mayor
has issued proclamation asking all
business houses to close from 2:30 to
O.On IL