Houston “Junior” Aaron Thomas, Jr

Houston “Junior” Aaron Thomas, Jr., age 80, of High Rock, passed away on Dec. 28, 2024.

Junior Thomas was a lifelong resident of High Rock community. His childhood days were spent on Hog Mountain. He grew up attending High Rock Methodist Church where he enjoyed singing with the original High Rock Quartet. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1962.

On Dec. 21, 1963, Junior married the love of his life, Lorene Walker. The two were married for more than 60 years, and raised three beautiful children together, Jerry Wayne, Michelle, and Mike. They had eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Junior had an excellent work ethic. He started his working career as a brick mason at a young age. While working as a brick mason, Junior felt the Lord calling him to preach. Finally, at the age of 30, he surrendered to the Lord’s calling, and he faithfully fulfilled that calling for 53 years, traveling wherever the Lord took him, which included Haiti.

Outside of preaching and studying God’s Word, you could find Junior in his wood shop making canes, playing his piano in the comfort of his home, or raising goats, his other children.

He is remembered by most people as “The Preacher Man,” but we, as his family, hold onto the fondest memories of “Pawpaw,” a goofy, fun-loving, doting father and grandfather who loved his muscadines, tomato sandwiches, and peanut butter. As Pawpaw would say, “Heaven is a little sweeter today. Can I get a witness?”

Junior was preceded in death by father Houston Thomas, Sr.; wife Lorene Thomas; son Mike Thomas; daughter Michelle Thomas Sissom; sister Shirley Seitz.

He is survived by son Jerry Wayne Thomas; mother Myrtle Thomas; brothers Chester (Sherry) and Rickey Thomas; grandchildren Kala Thomas, Adam Thomas (Erica), Crystal Cornelius (Brock), Erica Hamilton (Deshaun), Ethan Hayes (Rebecca), Ty Sissom (Riley), Eli Thomas, and Safari Sissom; 11 great-grandchildren; a host of friends and other family.

The family received friends on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at Lemley Funeral Home from 5 until 7 p.m.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, at Lemley Funeral Home beginning at 11 a.m. with Rick Dill, Chester Thomas, and Adam Thomas presiding. Burial followed in High Rock Cemetery. Asked to serve as pallbearers were Adam Thomas, Brock Cornelius, Ethan Hayes, Eli Thomas, Ty Sissom, Chester Thomas, and Rickey Thomas.

Lemley Funeral Home is honored to serve this family.