RUBEN THOMAS SR. WAS BORN ON NOVEMBER 21, 1954, IN ATHENS, GA TO THE LATE WILLIE FLORENCE THOMAS-BARNETT AND JACK COOPER. HE WAS ONE OF 10 CHILDREN; FIVE OF WHOM PRECEDED HIM IN DEATH: COSTELLO MARTIN, PAULETTE JOHNSON, W.

FLORENCE RESBY, ELIZABETH JONES-EASLEY, AND JERRY JONES.

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, RUBEN TOOK UP THE HOBBY OF FIXING CARS, BEFORE LATER EXPLORING COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING. HE ENJOYED BOTH WITH A PASSION, WHICH HE EVENTUALLY TURNED INTO HIS LIFELONG CAREER.

RUBEN AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS "BUNCAN" TO HIS FAMILY, AND "HAWK" TO HIS CLOSE FRIENDS, NEVER MET A STRANGER, AND ALWAYS GREETED EVERYONE WITH THAT EXTRA WIDE SMILE. THIS IS

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WILL ALL TRULY MISS!

ON JANUARY 14, 2026, GOD CALLED UPON RUBEN TO JOIN HIM IN HIS HEAVENLY HOME, IN WHICH RUBEN SO GRACEFULLY ACCEPTED, BECAUSE THIS DAY WAS ALSO HIS BABY BROTHER, JERRY'S BIRTHDAY.

RUBEN LEAVES TO CHERISH HIS FOND MEMORIES;

ONE SON, RUBEN "RU" THOMAS JR.; ONE DAUGHTER, BREASIA BARNHART; THREE SISTERS, MARY THOMAS-SCHUPETA (BURKHARD), JEANETTE THOMAS-WATSON (GREG), AND VICKIE THOMAS; ONE BROTHER, ABDUL MUHAMMAD (ASEELAH); BEST FRIEND/BROTHER, EARNEST BRIGHTWELL; BEST FRIEND/SISTER, MAMIE BRIGHTWELL; A HOST OF NIECES AND NEPHEWS (GREAT AND GREAT-GREAT).

AS WELL AS OTHER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.