In Memory of

Edward

Lamar

Thomas

Sr.

Obituary for Edward Lamar Thomas Sr.

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During the morning hours on Monday May 23,2022 with his children and family by his side, Edward Lamar Thomas Sr. transitioned from his accomplished life here on earth to be with his heavenly father.

Edward Lamar Thomas was born to the late Bost and Cleopatra Thomas on June 16,1950 in Montgomery Alabama. Edward was fondly known as "Butch" to his family and friends.

Edward attended grade school and graduated from high school in 1968. He went on to attend the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor's degree. Edward always knew his success would be in his education. At this point, Edward furthered his education and attended Columbia University in New York City and graduated in 1976 with a Master’s Degree in Urban and Transportation Planning.

After college, Edward went to work for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in Southwest Washington, DC. He had a rewarding career where he served as the Associate Administrator of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration and went on to be appointed to a Senior Executive Service position at DOT.

Edward’s passion was in transportation. He left DOT and accepted a position with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) commonly referred to as Metro, which is a tri-jurisdictional government agency that operates and manages transit services in the Washington metropolitan area. Edward followed his dreams and started a consulting business, Thomas Consulting LLC.



Edward also had a passion for dogs and horses. He purchased an American German Sheppard for his baby sisters and name her ‘Sheba”. His love for horses was near and dear to him and when the Preakness was running in Baltimore , he was there or watching the Kentucky Derby front row and center.

Edward was a brilliant mind and we referred to him as the “Numbers Man”. He had a special method to picking a particular horse and in 2015 he picked “American Pharoah” who won the Kentucky Derby. His son Edward Jr. has the same gift and shares his dad’s mythology for numbers.

In 2012, Edward retired from Metro and moved to the sunny city of Palm Bay Florida to enjoy his retirement. “He Did That”. Edward remained in Florida until his illness would no longer allow him to live alone. Edward relocated back to Severn, Maryland in 2022, with his son Lateaf and his family and remained with them until his untimely death.

Edward was blessed with a large and loving family. He was preceded in death by his parent's Bost and Cleopatra, his sisters Evelyn and Betty and his beautiful daughter Maryam. Edward leaves to cherish fond memories, his six loving children: Edward L. Thomas Jr. (Talethia), Monica McNeil (Brian), Lateaf (Danesha) Thomas, Yusef Thomas, Anwar Thomas and Rachel Thomas; siblings Theonest Thomas (Barbara), Thelma Boone, Juanita Thomas, Adrean Whidbee, Benny Sr., Linda & Brenda Snowden; 10 grandchildren Robert III, Daija, Kennedie, Brian Jr., Talia, Elijah, Marquis, Isaiah, Camden, and Xavier as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins extended family and friends.