Eugene Calvin Thomas, Sr., age 77, of Delmar, died Thursday, June 5, 2008 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury. He was born May 6, 1931 in Saxis, VA, a son of the late Dallas and Clara Painter Thomas. Gene proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952 to 1954 where he was stationed on the USS Pittsburgh and worked as a Military Policeman. He loved his work as a truck driver for Perdue, from where he retired after 25 years of service. He was a long time member of Melson United Methodist Church in Delmar. He had a love for the outdoors where he enjoyed fishing and hunting. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Betty Lou (Riley) Thomas; 5 children, Eugene Calvin Thomas, Jr. of Delmar, Phyllis Jean Elliott of Princess Anne, Teresa Lynn Sprague of Salisbury, Mike Thomas of Pocomoke City and Sandy Tatum of Princess Anne; 2 step-sons, Randy Cox of Laurel and Wayne Cox of Salisbury; 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Butch Thomas, 5 sisters, Shirley White of Sanford, VA, June Covington of Pocomoke City, Bertha Mason of Bloxom, VA, Dorothy Mason of Bloxom, VA and Carolyn Gillespie of Glen Burnie, MD, and many nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Allen and Donald Thomas, and a grandson, John Tatum, Jr. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 at Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove Street, Delmar, and also on Sunday, June 8, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00. A funeral service will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by The Reverend Dr. Everett C. Isaacs. Interment with military honors will be held at Melson's Cemetery in Delmar. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation, 1107 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21204. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.