Earl L. Thomas affectionately known as "Son Thomas", was the only son of Fannie and Sam Thomas, born in Lowndes County, Mississippi.  He married the love of his life Rosie Lee Sherrod on October 28, 1951, he was her brother's best friend who wouldn't go home.  Earl found his way to Akron, Ohio when his brother-in-law and eldest sister moved to Akron.  Shortly after moving to Akron, he got a job washing dishes at Stones Grille, then Robinson Clay and lastly at Firestone Tire and Rubber in which he spent 40 years until he retired due to health reasons.  He confessed Christ as his savior at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, and he was also associated with Mt. Zion and Mt. Lebanon Church.  He ended his journey as a member of Rooted In Christ Community Church.

In the late 70's early 80's Earl was one of the founding members of Dalton St. Block Club, along with Nate Bozeman.  He also enjoyed cleaning Suddeth Park, known as "the mini park", as a result, the city displayed his picture at the park and also featured him in the Akron Beacon Journal.  Earl was also very handy, being known as the man who made barrels/barbecue grills around the city.  He was a person of honor in his neighborhood where everyone called him "Dad", even people older than his eldest child.  His second love was fishing, often going out early in the morning, and returning late into the evening.  He would have all his kids clean, scrap, and gut them in the backyard.  Full of stories, his favorite one was when he and Cecil Thomas went fishing and the boat turned over resulting in Cecil flopping around in the water, which was only to his knees, Dad looked at him and said, "Man Stand Up!", they laughed about that memory for months.

Dad loved supporting his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.  He liked traveling to PA to watch his son play basketball, or his late grandson Deshawn play football.  In 2001 Dad and Momma celebrated 50 years of marriage with a huge party with family and friends.  He loved seeing everyone get together; he also loved playing spades and setting people for hours.  We all loved Dad dearly, and it showed in so many ways, like when he turned 90 during COVID and we all arranged a drive-by with family and friends to by and blow their horn, while he sat on the porch and waved.  If you know him, you know he loved sitting on the front porch in his favorite spot.  He also loved working on his baby grass every year!  His last outing was enjoying the Cavs game with his family in November.

Earl leaves a legacy of (6) children, Fannie Jean Brown, Gregory (Jeanette) Thomas, Yvonne Small, Tommie (Angela) Thomas, Darlene Thomas, and Cheryl (William) Kirksey; (12) grandchildren, (29) great grandchildren, and (18) great-great grandchildren, he also leaves to cherish his memory many other relatives and friends.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Fannie and Sam Thomas; wife, Rosie Lee Thomas; sisters, Leola Weatherby and Ellen Jackson; grandson, Deshawn Brown; great grandson, Demond Wilson Jr., and nephew, Eddie Bush.