David Owen Thomas, Jr., age 88, passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2026. The eldest son of David O. Thomas, Sr. and Jeanette Pratt Thomas, “Dave” was born in New Orleans and grew up in Atlanta, graduating with honors from Georgia Military Academy, where he was a track athlete in the hurdles and pole vaulting.

After earning a degree from Georgia Tech, he married Betty Cobb Boyd, had 2 daughters, and worked for many years in investment banking. He moved to Savannah in 1973 to work with his brother renovating historic properties in the downtown area.

His life changed direction in 1989; after earning his Master of Divinity Degree from the University of the South in Suwanee Tennessee, he embarked on many years of service to others as an ordained minister, a drug and alcohol counselor, and a prison chaplain. For the remainder of his life, he remained very involved in the AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) organization, mentoring anyone that needed his help. His sobriety was extremely important in his life, and he recently proudly accepted his 48 year Sobriety Chip.

Most importantly, he was truly devoted to family, a man of faith, conviction, compassion, and generosity. He was always ready to help anyone in need, whether it was visiting a prisoner, counseling those struggling with addiction, providing affordable housing to Savannah residents, lovingly supporting his children and grandchildren, or adopting abandoned disabled cats.

Until we see him again, he will be missed and his memory cherished by the family he leaves behind: his loving wife of 30 years, Rev. Saundra Stiles Thomas; brother Robert (“Bob”) Thomas (Angie); daughters Dr. Elizabeth (“Lisa”) Thomas Adamiak (Bert) and Laurie Thomas Evans (Richard); grandchildren David “Elijah” Adamiak (Jesi), Daniel “Nic” Adamiak, Tyler James Evans (Blaine), and Sarah Evans Ruddy (David), as well as great-grandchildren Major, Julian, Sylas, Isaiah, Jaylen, Ariah, Kayson, and Sadie, who knew him as “Pe-Pap”.

In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated and a memorial service held on Saturday, March 28 at 11 am at the beautiful, historic St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2 St. Thomas Ave, Savannah. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes (georgiasheriffsyouth.org) or Camp Kudzu for children with Type 1 Diabetes (www.campkudzu.org)