Robert Cambridge Thomas, Jr., 72, Leesburg, Florida, passed away on September 22, 2017 at Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Leesburg, Florida. Mr. Thomas was born on December 10, 1944 in Paw Paw, Michigan to his parents Robert Cambridge Thomas and Ardeth Grace (Dornan) Thomas.
He was a former Independent Sales Agent in the Insurance Industry. Robert had also worked as a Police Officer for the St. Joseph County Police Department in South Bend, Indiana, was the former owner of Thomas Insurance Services in Eustis, Florida, and was a Professional Musician who played the drums and also sang. Mr. Thomas had played with Tommy James and the Shondells as well as Junior Walker of Motown fame. He belonged to a local music group called “Tempo 4”.
He moved to Florida in 1976 from South Bend, Indiana and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Leesburg, where he was greatly involved serving the church’s needs. He was extremely passionate about food and cooking which led him to creating his “World Famous Beans”.
He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years: Linda Thomas of Leesburg, FL; his children: Ginger Louise (Don) Barbato of Auburndale, FL; Ukiah Elmore of Salt Lake City, UT, Sandra Pickren of Leesburg, FL, Eve Bryant of Payson, UT, Robert Eugene (Bonnie) Thomas of Winter Haven, FL, Jonna (Stephen) Meschke of Winter Haven, FL; a brother: Edwin Thomas of Niles, MI; a sister: Ardeth Krueger of Niles, MI; 29 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; many loving great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Sandra Jean Brown, a son, Valiant Elmore and a daughter, Michelle Marie Workman.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 3 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at 1875 Mt Vernon Rd, Leesburg, FL. with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Leesburg, FL.
