THOMAS, JAMES F., JR.

Captain of Detectives James F. Thomas, age 95, died peacefully on November 26, 2013. James was a longtime resident of Chester before making his home in Boothwyn for the past 18 years. He was educated in Chester before receiving an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Delaware Co. Community College. James retired from the Chester Police Department as Captain of the Detective Division after 27 years of service.

He was a member of the FOP Lodge #19 and was Sgt. at Arms in Charge of the Color Guard for 17 years, which he helped create. He was also the former Chief Investigator for the Delaware County Public Defender’s Office retiring in 1983 and formerly worked as the Assistant Director of the Delaware County Veterans affairs.

Jim was a lifelong member and a past president of the Franklin Fire Co. in Chester and a member of Delaware Co. Fireman’s Association. Jim was a proud and decorated Marine veteran who served his country with the Edson Raiders during World War II in the South Pacific for 30 months; he was a Purple Heart recipient.

Mr. Thomas belonged to the V.F.W. Post #1521 and the American Legion. He was a founding member of the Delaware County Detachment Marine Corps League, Upland, and served as past Commandant.

Jim was also a parishioner of St. Katharine Drexel Church in Chester. He was the son of the late James and Edna (Pennington) Thomas, father of the late James F. Thomas, III, father-in-law of the late Daniel LeTourneau, grandfather of the late Michael and Thomas LeTourneau, grandfather-in-law of the late April LeTourneau, brother of the late Jack, Joe and Marie Thomas and Marguerite Fazzio.

Survivors: Wife of 69 years: Elsie (Keating) Thomas; Children: Janice R. LeTourneau and David J. Thomas (Mary), daughter-in-law: Doris M. Thomas, brother, Jerry Thomas, grandchildren: Michelle Ciano (John), Mark (Jami) LeToutneau, Matthew (Anne) LeTourneau, Luke (Mary) LeTourneau, David Jr., Brian (Sheri), Stephen, Terri and James, 16 great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Monday, from 6:00-8:00p.m. and Tuesday, from 8:30-9:30a.m., at the Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home Ltd., 5980 Chichester Ave., Aston Funeral Mass: Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 20th St. & Providence Ave., Chester. Burial: Private. In lieu of flowers: Memorial donations may be made to: Lauren Thomas Fund C/O Citizens Bank, 1502 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382.