Eric Leroy Thomas, known by family members as, "Rico or Coe" and by his wife,"Mr. Thomas", age 59, lost his battle with cancer on December 19, 2023 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Eric was born on July 14, 1964 in Thomasville, NC to Ms. Mattie Ruth Litte and Robert Leroy Thomas. He attended Forest Park, Waughton, Glenn, and Parkland schools and as an athlete in his youth he played football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He enlisted and joined the military with the United States Air Force where he received the Air Force Training Ribbon, Outstanding Unit Award, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Mr. Thomas met Sheryl Thomas and moved to Salem, Oregon where they married and he became a prominent member of the community. He attended Chemeketa Community College to obtain his Associates degree in Business Management. It was at this time he made the Dean's list and the Honor Roll. Due to his outstanding service and personality, he was later nominated to be the president of the school's Black Student Union.He hosted various events to raise money for scholarships that would be used for the black students education. Mr. Thomas founded his youth organization called Young Men's Hope where he partnered with positive male role models who became mentors for his organization to assist in the growth of young black males to help them to be successful in their future endeavors. As a member of Seed of Faith Ministries under Pastor Wade E. Harris, Eric was committed to his faith and his church home. During his tenure at Seed of Faith, Mr. Thomas was soon ordained as Deacon and Usher in which he served faithfully. Among other accomplishments, Mr. Thomas purchased his first home in Atlanta, Georgia where he resided with his wife until the Lord called him home.

Mr. Thomas was a force to be reckoned with and he made friends everywhere he went. His infectious personality, his love for family, and his caring for people of all walks of life. He was an avid sports fanatic and his favorite teams were the LA Lakers, the Chicago Bears and the Raiders. He loved Serena Williams and Tiger Woods. In his down time, Eric loved to play golf, he would always say he stinks at it but he loved to play with his brothers (Sterling Alexander and Robert Jones). Mr. Thomas was a family man, he loved his children and grandchildren! There was nothing that he would not do for them. He loved his Mom, he would call her everyday at least 5 times or more no matter what it was, he would call her just to hear her voice. The love of his life was his Wife. He had a certain way of saying it, "That's My Whyfe" is what he would say and when he would call her, he would say Bae-Bae Baeeee! Mr. Thomas was diagnosed with stage four cancer September 26, 2023 and he fought a good fight. His wife was with him the entire time until the very end.

Eric was preceded in death by his father, Robert Leroy Thomas. He leaves to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy, his Sheryl Thomas (wife), Mattie Ruth Little (mother), Ronald Eugene Thomas (brother), Natasha Hastens (daughter), Randolph Turner (son), Cedrick Denard Sutton (son), Antuan Darnell Turner (son), Shenika Shanae Sutton (daughter) and Queen Lavon Dash (daughter). Mr. Thomas had nine grandchildren: Cedrick Jr., Tyshaun, Ari, Veeana, Hannah, Haleigh, Helena, Isaac, and Cairo. He also left a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles to remember the good times that were shared with all of them.

Mr. Eric Thomas will be truly missed as he made a huge impact on the lives of so many and the hearts of those he touched will be forever grateful to have had him in their lives.

His favorite scripture was Psalm 91: 1-2 "He that Dwelleth in the secret place of the most High God shall abide under the shadows of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust."

Funeral Services Friday January 12, at 12:00 noon at Rowan Funeral Services burial Salisbury National Cemetery 2:00 p.m. family will receive friends 11:00 - 12:00 noon. Public viewing Thursday 3:00- 5:30p.m.