James E. Thomas, Col. USAF (Ret)

James E. Thomas, Col. USAF (Ret.) 83, of Isles of Capri, FL, passed away on February 5, 2018. Born January 13, 1936 in Minneapolis, MN, he was the son of the late Edward John and Marie (Cleland) Thomas.

Col. Thomas spent 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and 18 years in Civil Service. He served in Germany, Vietnam and Hawaii. Col. Thomas, "Jimmy Jet", flew 252 combat missions as a Forward Air Controller in the 01E "Bird Dog" in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine air medals.

He is survived by his nieces, Shari M. (Stuart) Curet and Janie R. (Terry O'Reilley) Johns; nephew, Kevin T. Johns; and former wife, Joan M. Thomas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Jane T. (Harry E.) Johns, Rosemary T. Perpich; and son, Shawn R. Thomas.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, February 12th, 2018, 10-11AM, at Fuller Funeral Home, 4735 Tamiami Trail East. The service will begin at 11AM. Final committal will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

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