Carl Lee Thomas, 75, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, passed away on August 15, 2023 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He was known for his smile, sense of humor, stories, jokes, and distinctive laugh. Carl loved to crack jokes and took jokes too.

Carl was born on June 1, 1948 in Bessemer, Alabama. After graduating from Abrams High School in 1966, he briefly studied to become an auto mechanic at Bessemer Tech before joining the Air Force in 1968.

Carl started as a mechanic in the Air Force, worked his way into a flight engineer position, and became a flight instructor before retiring in 1992. He served during the Vietnam War, Grenada, and Desert Storm.

Carl also earned several medals during his Air Force career, including the following: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Silver and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and National Defense Medal with Bronze Service.

After retiring, Dad worked at Black and Decker in Fayetteville before the plant closed, then worked at Mueller Steam Specialty in St. Pauls before retiring in 2019.

While at Bessemer Tech, Carl met and fell in love with Freddie Mae Thomas (nee Harris). They married on October 19, 1968. During their marriage, they lived in Charleston, South Carolina; Altus, Oklahoma; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Germany; and back in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Carl and Freddie had their daughter, Amber Thomas in September 1981.

Carl was predeceased by his father Cleveland Thomas, mother Ethel Mae Jones, and sister Sylvia Jones. He is survived by his wife Freddie Thomas, daughter Amber Thomas, sisters Sharon Thomas and Robin Thomas, cousin Rose, cousin Cletus, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

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