In Memory Of
Carlton Thomas
1947
2018
Carlton Thomas
April 24, 1947 — October 9, 2018
Carlton Thomas was born on April 24, 1947, in Thomasville, Georgia to Willie Thomas, Sr. and Evelyn Barnhill Thomas.
Carlton was a graduate of the Douglas High School class of 1965 in Thomasville GA., where he excelled as a student athlete. Carlton was a local legend playing football, where he earned the nickname "road runner" for his speed and grace on the gridiron.
After high school, Carlton went on to attend Florida A&M University to pursue his degree. After a short stay in college he enlisted in the United States Army to serve his country for a three year tour in the Vietnam War. Carlton served in the first infantry unit in Saigon where he earned a purple heart for valor.
Immediately following his honorable discharge from the military, Carlton re- enrolled as a student at Florida A. & M. majoring in accounting. Carlton graduated with honors, finishing his four year accounting degree from FAMU in only two and a half years. Carlton would go on to attend Ivy League Schools Wharton School of Business and Princeton University. Carlton was selected to work in the exclusive young executive management leadership program with RCA American Communications (Americom) on Wall St. in New York City.
One of his first major projects with RCA (Americom) was to perform financial analysis and conducted a feasibility study for the launch of one of the first commercial satellites (Satcom 1) in 1975. Satcom 1 was used as the launching ground for many cable TV services including CNN, HBO, Showtime, TBS, and ESPN. Carlton quickly climbed the corporate ladder rising to level of Sr. Comptroller for RCA Global Communications in Princeton, New Jersey. Following his early retirement from RCA, Carlton relocated to Orlando, Florida, where he became a successful entrepreneur. Carlton built a successful CPA firm (Financial Services) and opened a computer and software store, The Internet Zone. Carlton also enjoyed helping others, working in the community and he served as a past president of the Orlando Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and treasurer of the National Association of Black Business Owners, Inc.
In addition to his entrepreneurial and business endeavors, Carlton was a loving single father of two young children, whom he raised by himself after the demise of his first wife Alice Beatrice Griggs-Thomas in 1980. To this union, they had two children Carlice Thomas-Bouyer and Carlton Adrian Thomas Jr. In 2001, Carlton married Emmanuella Jean-Baptiste-Thomas. Carlton was a member of First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida.
Carlton was also an avid fisherman and a masterful chef. Carlton loved entertaining, politics and world travel, but above all, he loved his family and was always there to help when someone was in need.
Carlton Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Thomas Sr. and Evelyn Thomas-Pettis. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Emmanuella Jean-Baptiste-Thomas; daughter, Carlice Thomas-Bouyer (Steve) and son, Carlton Adrian Thomas Jr.; special niece, Shunta Patrice Thomas- Heath; nephew, Carnell Thomas, mother-in-law; Margaret Rejouis (Max); brother-in-law, Edwin Jean-Baptiste (Marie); an aunt, Louise Barnhill, and Uncle Perry Barnhill (Carolyn); two sisters: Lorene Thomas-Screen; Hazel T. Jones (Arthur) and a brother, Willie Thomas Jr. Additionally, his best friend Alfred Rogers (Pat) and Janice Strickland (Wallace) are special lifelong friends and goddaughter, LaKeisha Rogers-Barnes.
Furthermore, Carlton will be missed by his three grandchildren (Michael Adrian Davis, Deja Alice Thomas and Milan Amir Thomas), great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, cousins, two sisters-in-law, relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32805.
Visitation is Saturday preceding the service on Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the church.
Interment will follow the service at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Gotha, FL.
Newcomer Funeral Home – East Orlando Chapel has been entrusted with Carlton's services.
To share your memories of Carlton or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Carlton was a graduate of the Douglas High School class of 1965 in Thomasville GA., where he excelled as a student athlete. Carlton was a local legend playing football, where he earned the nickname "road runner" for his speed and grace on the gridiron.
After high school, Carlton went on to attend Florida A&M University to pursue his degree. After a short stay in college he enlisted in the United States Army to serve his country for a three year tour in the Vietnam War. Carlton served in the first infantry unit in Saigon where he earned a purple heart for valor.
Immediately following his honorable discharge from the military, Carlton re- enrolled as a student at Florida A. & M. majoring in accounting. Carlton graduated with honors, finishing his four year accounting degree from FAMU in only two and a half years. Carlton would go on to attend Ivy League Schools Wharton School of Business and Princeton University. Carlton was selected to work in the exclusive young executive management leadership program with RCA American Communications (Americom) on Wall St. in New York City.
One of his first major projects with RCA (Americom) was to perform financial analysis and conducted a feasibility study for the launch of one of the first commercial satellites (Satcom 1) in 1975. Satcom 1 was used as the launching ground for many cable TV services including CNN, HBO, Showtime, TBS, and ESPN. Carlton quickly climbed the corporate ladder rising to level of Sr. Comptroller for RCA Global Communications in Princeton, New Jersey. Following his early retirement from RCA, Carlton relocated to Orlando, Florida, where he became a successful entrepreneur. Carlton built a successful CPA firm (Financial Services) and opened a computer and software store, The Internet Zone. Carlton also enjoyed helping others, working in the community and he served as a past president of the Orlando Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and treasurer of the National Association of Black Business Owners, Inc.
In addition to his entrepreneurial and business endeavors, Carlton was a loving single father of two young children, whom he raised by himself after the demise of his first wife Alice Beatrice Griggs-Thomas in 1980. To this union, they had two children Carlice Thomas-Bouyer and Carlton Adrian Thomas Jr. In 2001, Carlton married Emmanuella Jean-Baptiste-Thomas. Carlton was a member of First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida.
Carlton was also an avid fisherman and a masterful chef. Carlton loved entertaining, politics and world travel, but above all, he loved his family and was always there to help when someone was in need.
Carlton Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Thomas Sr. and Evelyn Thomas-Pettis. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Emmanuella Jean-Baptiste-Thomas; daughter, Carlice Thomas-Bouyer (Steve) and son, Carlton Adrian Thomas Jr.; special niece, Shunta Patrice Thomas- Heath; nephew, Carnell Thomas, mother-in-law; Margaret Rejouis (Max); brother-in-law, Edwin Jean-Baptiste (Marie); an aunt, Louise Barnhill, and Uncle Perry Barnhill (Carolyn); two sisters: Lorene Thomas-Screen; Hazel T. Jones (Arthur) and a brother, Willie Thomas Jr. Additionally, his best friend Alfred Rogers (Pat) and Janice Strickland (Wallace) are special lifelong friends and goddaughter, LaKeisha Rogers-Barnes.
Furthermore, Carlton will be missed by his three grandchildren (Michael Adrian Davis, Deja Alice Thomas and Milan Amir Thomas), great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, cousins, two sisters-in-law, relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando, Florida 32805.
Visitation is Saturday preceding the service on Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the church.
Interment will follow the service at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Gotha, FL.
Newcomer Funeral Home – East Orlando Chapel has been entrusted with Carlton's services.
To share your memories of Carlton or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carlton Thomas, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, October 20, 2018
10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Orlando First Baptist Church
Service
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Orlando First Baptist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 7
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