Adrian Wesley Thomas

Adrian Wesley Thomas (85) entered into eternal life with God Almighty, his Maker, and Jesus Christ, his Savior, on December 11, 2024, in Athens, GA. He was the son of the late Hasting Adrian and Azalena Bridges Thomas of Johnston, SC. He is survived by Martha McAllister Thomas, his loving wife of 60 years; his son Wesley (wife Melissa), grandchildren Madison, Zachary, Emily, and Jeremy, all of Jupiter, FL; and daughter Andrea Russell of Athens, GA.

He is also survived by siblings Cedric Lee Thomas (wife Sue) of Summerville, SC, Glenn Hasting Thomas (wife Nancy) of Forest City, NC, and Ann Thomas Sinclair of Perrysburg, OH, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

He was born on June 23, 1939, and raised on a farm in Edgefield, SC. He received two engineering degrees from Clemson University and a PhD from Colorado State University. He joined the Agricultural Research Service, the research arm of the USDA, in 1965 and spent 33 years conducting and managing research related to water quality and soil quality issues in the southern U.S. His work was conducted in Fort Collins, CO, Watkinsville, GA, and Tifton, GA. He served as the Director of the Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory at Tifton, GA for nine years to close out his career. Additionally, he served as an Adjunct Professor in the Engineering and Geography Departments of the University of Georgia for 31 years, where he sponsored and directed numerous students in a wide range of studies.

He was an active member of Lutheran churches in Tifton, GA, Fort Collins, CO, and Athens, GA. He grew up as a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church of Johnston, SC and spent his later years as a member there.

Visitation will be held at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1186 Mount Calvary Road, Johnston, SC 29832, on December 21, 2024, at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral at 11:00 am. After the service, family will receive guests in the Christian Education Center.

Memorials can be made to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com