Rev. Dr. Alan Thomas Obituary (1942

If ever there was a time when the heavens opened and a choir of angels sang, it was Monday, January 6, 2024, at 11:08 a.m., when Reverend Dr. Alan Thomas was called home to be with the Lord. Born on August 21, 1942, in Barnes Hospital, Saint Louis, Missouri, he was destined from the very beginning to walk in the light of our Heavenly Father. At the age of 17, Reverend Dr. Thomas moved to New York City, residing on 108th Street and Central Park West. By the age of 18, he began working at The New York Times. Over the course of 32 years, he rose through the ranks, holding various positions and receiving numerous promotions. He retired from The New York Times with a career marked by dedication and excellence. A true man of God, Reverend Dr. Thomas lived a life devoted to honoring the Lord with joy and purpose. As a young man, he joined Mount Calvary Pentecostal Faith Church on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. On November 30, 1969, under the leadership of the late Bishop Rosa A. Horn of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Faith Church in Baltimore, Maryland, he was ordained as a minister. Reverend Dr. Thomas pursued his religious education with passion and perseverance. He first attended Manhattan Bible School and continued his advanced training at Mason Kelly Washington Religious Institute, earning a Bachelor of Religious Education on June 5, 1993, and a Master of Religious Education on May 27, 1995. He furthered his studies at the United Christian College of Sacred Theology, where he obtained two doctorate degrees: one in Sacred Theology and another, a Ph.D. in Philosophy. Reverend Dr. Thomas went on to establish the Victory House of Prayer. The first church building was opened in Brooklyn, New York, later relocating to Roosevelt, New York. Later, he moved and resided in Ft Myers and Cape Coral Florida. His dedication to faith and community was unwavering, exemplified by his involvement with the Lee County NAACP Religious Affairs Chair and his tireless service to others. He was preceded in death by his father, Luther Thomas; his mother, Louise Thomas; his brothers, Luther Thomas, Michael Thomas, and Edgar Alan Thomas; and his daughter, Cornelia Holt. Reverend Dr. Alan Thomas leaves to cherish his memory two daughters: Jewell Frazier (Nathaniel) of Severn, Maryland, and Lorretta Thomas of Manhattan, New York. He is also survived by four sons: Anthony Collins of Lehigh Acres, Florida; Alan Terrell Thomas of Cape Coral, Florida; Travis Thomas of Fort Myers, Florida; and Taurean Thomas of Cape Coral, Florida. He was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Malcolm, Laura, George Jared, Nyja, Nylen, Toni Sharnell, Alexa, Travis LaVelle, TraNeria, TraZariah, Adai, Skye, DeMarion, Taurean, Quentin, and Cori; along with great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Reverend Dr. Alan Thomas will be deeply missed. He was a loving father and grandfather, a dedicated prayer warrior, and a faithful servant of God who fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.