Stephen Langton Thomas

Stephen Langton Thomas, 77, of Columbia, SC, Lieutenant, United States Navy, Retired, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the WJB Dorn VA Medical Center.

He was born on January 30, 1940 in Charleston, South Carolina, son of the late Elinore Jeanne Scout Thomas and the late John Anthony Thomas, Sr.

Stephen graduated from The High School of Charleston in 1957. While attending CHS, he worked on “The Bantam”, the school newspaper and was high school reporter for the Charleston Evening Post. He took part in the Footlight Players at the Dock Street Theatre. Stephen was a member of the National Honor Society and a representative to South Carolina Boys State. Stephen was valedictorian of his graduating class being awarded an NROTC scholarship to MIT. After one year he returned to Charleston to attend the College of Charleston. He was on the school newspaper and a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. He graduated in 1962 with a BS in English.

In 1962, he went to OCS receiving his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy. He served assignments in Haiti, Panama, and the Dominican Republic and served four deployments to Vietnam. In 1966 he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant, USN. He was discharged from the Navy in 1972.

Stephen moved to Columbia, SC in 1974 to accept a position as claims examiner with the Veterans Administration. He retired from the VA in 1994 as a Veterans Disability Specialist. He was also a volunteer service officer for Disabled American Veterans. In retirement he enjoyed attending reunions with fellow shipmates of the USS Earle B. Hall, and watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Stephen enjoyed attending theater productions and performances of the Columbia Ballet. He also enjoyed frequent dining at The Villa Tronco Ristorante as well as time with his adopted Columbia family, Henry and Mella Martin and their extended family.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother William C. Thomas, half-sisters Susan (Betsy) T. Peters, Gloria M. Thomas, and Cathryn (Kitty) T. DeCandt and half-brother John (Jack) A. Thomas, Jr.
Stephen is survived by his sister, Edith Thomas Dixon of Johns Island, SC, and nieces and nephews; Merritt Dixon Pierce (Mark), Michael J. Dixon Sr (Penny), Matthew C. Dixon (Melanie), Melissa Dixon Gallego (Alan), Laura Thomas Rydznski, Billie Thomas Sanderson (David), Jeannett Thomas Snyder (Andre), Sherrie Thomas Hartwell (Mike), half nieces and nephews; John E. Peters, Becky D. Morrow, Gloria D. DeKalb, Patti D. McMakin, Michael DeCandt , and Beth T. Warren, and many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley Chapel. A catered meal will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, The Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 50008, Studio City, CA 91614, or a charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley Chapel, 2501 Bees Ferry Road Charleston, South Carolina, 29414, 843-722-8371.