James Elvey Thomas, Jr.

James Elvey Thomas, Jr. died on July 1, 2024. He was born in Raleigh on February 7, 1937 to James Elvey Thomas, Sr. and Martha Tillery Thomas. He graduated from Virginia Episcopal School and N.C. State University where he was inducted into the following honor societies: Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering; the Tau Beta Pi National Engineering; Phi Eta Sigma; and Phi Kappa Phi. He graduated with honors in mechanical engineering and was president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Following graduation, he was employed by General Electric and married his college sweetheart, Sharon Ridgeway, in 1960. After leaving GE, Elvey owned a horticulture retail business in Raleigh. After selling the business, he joined his wife as a Realtor.

Elvey served his community as Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and a director of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the Rex Hospital Foundation Board, The Raleigh Tourist and Convention Board, The Raleigh Merchants Bureau Board, and the Challenge Grant Giving Circle. He was president of NCSU Friends of the College and a lifetime member of the SPCA of Wake County. He and Sharon were active in the Partners Program working with underprivileged children.

A pinnacle of his Christian life was being chairman of the Nicky Cruz Crusade at Reynolds Coliseum in which over 9,000 people attended and over 1,000 made commitments to Christ Jesus. The crusade was televised nationwide.

Elvey is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Sharon Ridgeway Thomas, two sons: James Elvey Thomas, III (Jennifer Ramsdell) and John Bradford Thomas, Sr. (Sarah Campbell), and three grandchildren: James Elvey Thomas, IV; Charlie Elaine Thomas; and John Bradford Thomas, Jr. He was predeceased by a grandson, Walker Campbell Thomas, and sister, Martha Thomas Wily.

A private graveside service of resurrection and celebration of Elvey's life and memory will be held at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

The family requests that those wishing to send memorials consider three of Elvey's favorite charities: Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina, P.O. Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450; Raleigh Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 58634, Raleigh, N.C. 27658; and SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, N.C. 27603.

Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.