Bernie passed away, Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the age of 82 at the Veteran's Hospice and Palliative Care Hospital, in Salem, VA. Born in Newark NJ, Bernie lived most of his life in Hamilton Square, NJ until moving to Woodlawn, Virginia in 2000. Bernie entered in to military service in 1947, and was stationed in the Air National Guard's at McGuire Force, in Fort Dix, NJ for 43 years. He served in the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing Unit and then transferred to the 170th Air Refueling Group Logistics until his retirement in 1991 as Master Sergeant. Bernie received several awards during his career, some of which included the Meritorious Award, and was made an Honorary Member of the Golden Knights, Army Parachute Team, for his dedication and work in the 170th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Bernie served six tours of duty that included the Berlin Crisis, the over throwing of the King in Greece and, Dessert Storm. During his career he traveled to France, Greece, Switzerland, Bermuda and Puerto Rico and many state-side military bases. Bernie, his wife and daughter, loved camping and traveled all over the United States including Hawaii. Bernie and his wife also loved cruises and traveled to St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. Bernie was a NASCAR fan, loved building models of ships, cars, engines and planes, and was a beautiful woodworker and stain glass maker. Bernie belonged to the Fancy Gap United Methodist Church, in Fancy Gap, VA. He was a hand-bell player in the music group and a member of the United Methodist's Men. He loved his mountains and traveling along the Blue Ridge parkway and Skyline Drive. He also was an avid practical joker and loved to laugh and make others laugh. Bernie is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Edna M. Peterson Thomas, his daughter and son in-law, Sherry Thomas Hawkins and James Hawkins, Sr., of Weeki Wachee, FL, his brother and sister in-law, Earl and Donna Thomas, of El Paso, TX, sister, Rev. Hazel Thomas Shue, of Budd Lake, NJ, brother in-law and sister-in law Howard and Gloria Peterson, of Kiefer, OK, nephews Earl Jr., Edward, Bruce and James Thomas, and niece Linda Thomas Ramierez, George, Russell, Joseph and Earl Schaefer and nieces JoAnn Schaefer Lusk, Mary Schaefer, and Hazel Schaefer Santos, as well as special friends Patsy Leonard, Mary Young and Dennis & Cheryl Williams of VA. Bernie is predeceased by his father, George C Thomas, his mother, Mother Louise B Eaken Thomas, his sister Lillian A. Thomas Schaefer, and three siblings that passed in infancy, grand-mother, Mary Chilcoat Eaken, grandfather John K. Eaken, mother Beulah Woolf Thomas, and grandfather Charles C. Thomas, and father in-law and mother in-law Clifford and Eleanore Peterson, as well as several aunts and uncles of Altoona, PA. A memorial service will be held May 15, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fancy Gap United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please make donations in Memory of Bernard E Thomas to the Fancy Gap United Methodist Church, 578 Old Appalachian Trail, Fancy Gap, VA 24328 or in Memory of Bernard E. Thomas, Master Sergeant, USAF at the Salem Veteran's Medical Center, c/o Ron Pleasants, Chief of Voluntary Services, 1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153. The family also wants to thank the staff at the VA Hospice and Palliative Care Unit for their caring and companionate services. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.