Ernest Anthony Thomas

MSgt Ernest Anthony Thomas USAF (Ret), 82, of Columbus, Ohio passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at his home.

Ernest Anthony Thomas (Ernie) was born March 24, 1944, in Canton, Ohio. His parents, Alfred and Alice Elizabeth Hayes Thomas welcomed their son to the world with great love and caring.

Ernie graduated from Ira M. Allen elementary school in 1958 and Timken Vocational High School (TVHS) in 1962. Upon graduation from TVHS he enlisted in the United States Air Force and began his training in Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Apprentice Course/Combat Control Team (CCT) training pipeline. He was an honored Air Traffic Controller. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served in the Vietnam War while stationed in Thailand. The vast majority of all USAF air strikes over North Vietnam and missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail were launched from Thai bases.

Ernie was extremely proud to be a United States Air Force Master Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, in 1988 after 26 years of service. He then began a career as a highly sought after contracted air traffic controller in Columbus, Ohio.

Ernie admired and was inspired by The Tuskegee Airmen, to join the Air Force. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators, Black military pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and support personnel who served during World War II. Trained at the segregated Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, they were highly important for shattering racial barriers, proving African Americans could serve effectively as combat leaders, and paving the way to a fully desegregated U.S. military. They paved the way for the impressive U.S. Air Force career of MSgt Ernest Anthony Thomas USAF (Ret).

Ernie was a loyal Raiders fan and a loyal fan of The Ohio State University football team-O-H!!! He loved jazz and his music collection is impressive.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his former wife, Darlene Thomas; and his brother-in-law: Attorney Burton V. Jones.

Surviving are, his wife of 46 years: Shirley; his Daughters: Veronica E. Thomas and Tiffany D. Thomas; his Grandsons: Gavin Turneur and Landon Walker; Brother: James Russell Thomas (Hope); Sister: Marilyn Thomas Jones; Nieces and Nephews: James (JJ) Thomas (Roberta), Kevin Thomas, Che' Thomas (Randi), Monique Thomas, and his youngest niece, with whom he had a wonderful, and very special bond, Elizabeth-Burton Jones whom he lovingly called "Bean".

Also surviving Ernie are Stepdaughters: Denina M. Fayne, Deanna L. Malone, and Kimberly Toliver; Step-Grandchildren: Brandon Fayne, Brittany Fayne, Kiara Toliver, Ricky Johnson, and Rickesha Johnson.

May MSgt. Ernest Anthony Thomas (Ret.) rest in peace, eternally remembered and always cherished.

A prayer for the repose of the soul of MSgt Ernest Anthony Thomas USAF (Ret) was said on June 21, 2026, at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. by Father Patrick A. Smith and a Mass was offered at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Capitol Hill on July 5, 2026.