J C Bernhardt Family

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.