Vincent Bernard Thomas
December 12, 1939 – December 10, 2012
Dr. Vincent Bernard Thomas, 72, of Wilson passed away Monday, December 10, 2012 at his home in Wilson, NC. Born in
Wilson on December 12, 1939, to Albert S. Thomas, Sr. and Lena Farris Thomas, he was preceded in death by his parents
and a sister, Carolyn Thomas Marley.
Vincent is survived by his wife, Kitty Bernhardt Thomas; daughter, Catherine Thomas Andrews and husband, Graham; son,
Charles A. Thomas and wife, Julieanne; grandchildren, Charles and James Thomas, all of Wilson. Survivors also include
brothers Allen G. Thomas, Sr. and wife, Lynette and Albert S. Thomas, Jr., and wife, Georgia of Wilson; sister, Mary
Thomas Williams and husband, Reynolds of Florence, South Carolina; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Vincent was a graduate of Charles L. Coon High School in Wilson, where he was president of the student body and an
outstanding athlete, being named all-state quarterback. College in the southeast recruited him for both football and
basketball. He later graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia. Vincent
began practicing optometry in Wilson in 1968 and was the founding member of Wilson Eye Associates. Recognized as a
leader in the optometry field, he served as a Trustee of the N.C. State Optometric Society and a member of the N.C. Board
of Examiners in Optometry. Vincent participated in many civic and community efforts and was awarded the Distinguished
Service Award by the Wilson Jaycees. For his service in furthering eye care in the state of North Carolina he holds the
Order of the Longleaf Pine, which is the highest civilian award given to a state resident. As a lifelong member of St.
Therese Catholic Church, he served as chairman of the Parish Advisory Council and member of the Knights of Columbus.
Vincent deeply cared for his many patients and was always willing to help no matter when they called. He was a kind and
gentle man whose sense of humor was infectious. Vincent loved his family, trips to Wrightsville Beach, and watching his
children and grandchildren play ball.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1108 Windermere Drive, Wilson, NC 27896
and the American Cancer Society, 1207 Peachtree Road, Wilson, NC 27896 or to the charity of one’s choice.
The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road
Parkway. A Memorial mass will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church, 700 Nash Street W., Wilson, at 11 a.m. on
Wednesday, December 12, 2012. Interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.