Early Sunday morning, May 5, 2013, God called to rest in his heavenly home our beloved Ronald Cassanova “Cas” Thomas Sr., born to the late Harry E. Thomas and Eunice V. Wiggins on Aug. 4, 1949.

He was educated in the Suffolk Public Schools beginning with Rosenwald Union and East Suffolk elementary schools. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School and later graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also received an associate degree in applied science for OIC Nation Institute in Philadelphia, Pa. Additional studies were done at James Madison University, Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia.

He began employment at Booker T. Washington and Driver middle schools as a P.E. teacher and then moved to John F. Kennedy High School, where he also taught P.E. and coached the football and basketball teams. He furthered his teaching at Forest Glen Middle School as a P.E. teacher. While at Nansemond River High School, he won the state championship for basketball. In 1995, he moved to the School Board office as Home School Coordinator with the Night Alternative Program. Ron was also a DJ for WEED radio station in Rocky Mount, N.C.

He was a member of Canaan Baptist Church, where he served as superintendent of Sunday school for 16 years, member of the Male Chorus and the J.E. Arrington choir, member of the Men’s Ministry, and was presently the chairperson of the Diaconate Ministry for the past six years. He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was also active with the NAACP, Virginia Association of Visiting Teachers and School Social Workers, Virginia High School Coaches Association and Vice Chair for Sunday School Union of the Sharon Baptist Missionary Association.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Barbara A. Thomas; mother, Eunice V. Wiggins, of Suffolk; five daughters, Shalonda, Sharonda, CaShae, of Rocky Mount, N.C., Felicia and Vontrice (Andre), of Suffolk; two sons, Ronald Jr. (Latticia), of Laurel, Md., and Norman, of Suffolk; three sisters, Barbara Gates (Lester), of Portsmouth, Janice McClaren (Ricky), of Canal Winchester, Ohio, and Shelia Williams (Frank), of Suffolk; one brother, Jeffery Wright (Vicki), of Detroit, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Betty Mayfield and Gloria Eason (Donald), of Suffolk; one brother-in-law, Lay Chatman; 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2013, at Canaan Baptist Church, 2064 Nansemond Parkway, officiated by the Rev. Vernon Hairston. Interment will be in Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery. Alpha Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity will conduct the fraternity’s Omega (Memorial) Service at Crocker Funeral Home from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, 2013. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.