Gary Ray Thomas, 65, devoted husband and father, died Friday, June 10, 2016 in Raleigh after a prolonged illness. He was born July 5, 1950, in Sanford. Raised in a farming family, Gary lived close to the land his whole life, achieving an expertise in animal husbandry and road grading. He was a graduate of Lillington High School and North Carolina State University. Gary loved nothing more than making memories with his family and exploring the back roads of North Carolina. In the 1980s he left an office job in Raleigh handling easements for Carolina Power & Light. Giving up the security of white-collar employment, Gary took a chance and moved his family back to Harnett County and started Thomas Lawn Care, which still operates today.

For a big man, Gary was surprisingly gentle. He could put strangers at ease with just a few kind words. An avid reader, Gary reveled in learning new things from new friends. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek for over 20 years, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Despite enduring 13 years of serious medical problems, Gary never complained. Courageous, patient, generous, kind, and industrious, Gary is survived by his wife of 43 years, Alice Key Thomas. He is preceded in death by his brother Keith Wayne Thomas and father A. Ray Thomas. Along with mother Clive Thomas, brother Jones Tillman Thomas, and sister Donna Crews, Gary is survived by sons William Key Thomas (Melia) of New Bern and Benjamin Ray Thomas (Carmen) of Princeton, and daughter Alice Marie Bloom (Ian) of Pinehurst, as well as eight grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Memorial Baptist Church, 271 Leslie Campbell Ave., Buies Creek, N.C. 27506 or Transitions Hospice of Raleigh, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, N.C. 27607.

Family and close friends will attend a graveside service at Lakeside Memorial Gardens on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek. The family will receive guests at the church following the service in the fellowship hall.­­­