Neill Thomas

Neill Lane Thomas, 77, of Waldorf passed away August 7, 2008, at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. Born January 8, 1931, in Atlanta, GA, he was the son of the late Lura and Donald Lake. He is survived by his wife, JoBeth "Joebi" Thomas; three daughters Sue-Ellen Brown and her husband Tink of Mechanicsville, MD; Michelle Scarborough and her husband Steve of Ashland, VA; Nanci Plumer of Waldorf, MD; one son Dan Thomas. Grandchildren William Lane Brown, Ross C. Scarborough, Bryan T. Plumer, Erin M. Scarborough, Andrew C. Plumer, Sara M. Scarborough, Tyler M. Plumer and Kevin R. Plumer-Hirshman. Neill was a devoted husband and loving father and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Neill Thomas served 8 years in the US Navy aboard the aircraft carrier Coral Sea during the Korean War. He had a lengthy background in the trucking industry and in the Federal government. Beginning his career in 1955, he managed a small carrier company and later went onto a large transportation company as Corporate Director of Safety, Insurance and Personnel. He joined the Federal Highway Administration’s Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety in 1974 (now FMCSA), and during his 26 year tenure with the agency he specialized in every facet of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation where he was promoted to Chief of Regulations and Special Assistant to the Director of Standards and Operations at FMCSA. After retiring from the Federal Government in 2000, Neil continued his career in private industry with ATA, where he was responsible for safety policies and motor carrier regulatory and operations issues. He retired again in 2003. As an avid golfer, Neill enjoyed his retirement playing golf and as a pro-shop and office manager for Marlton Golf Course. Mr. Thomas served many years as Chief Judge for the Maryland State Election Board, an elected officer of the Waldorf Elks Lodge #2421. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Church, 4590 Saint Joseph’s Way, Pomfret, MD, from 10:00 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. A reception will be held at the church hall immediately following the Mass. Internment will be at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, MD, at a later date.

Neill Thomas

January 8, 1931 - August 7, 2008