Claude Stephen Thomas

July 31, 1961 - January 1, 2021

Claude “Stephen” Thomas, 59 of St. Augustine Florida peacefully passed away with his wife Karen Reedy Thomas by his side on January 1, 2021 at Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville Florida. Stephen was born and raised in St. Augustine, a proud Menorcan, a 2nd generation graduate of St. Joseph Academy and a Flagler College alumnus. Stephen loved computers and earned a living working in the field of technology most of his adult life currently serving as the Systems Administrator at St. Johns River State College in Palatka, Florida. Stephen adored life, his family and friends and was most happy outdoors camping, fishing or just enjoying nature in the mountains or at the beach with the ones he loved. Stephen was an avid sports fan loving the Gators, Astros and the Rays. He was always available to help others with their technology challenges and provided his family and friends with copious amounts of personal IT support. Stephen also loved to cook, garden and build things with his hands and his many tools. Stephen was a great cook and enjoyed making and sharing Menorcan Sausage Pilau, southern favorites and long-time family recipes of macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and oh so many biscuits. Stephen was a devoted husband who never missed an opportunity to show his wife Karen how much he loved her. They met in high school and were blessed to find each other again later in life and shared many wonderful adventures together while enjoying life to the fullest. After being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer, in 2015 Stephen never complained as he endured multiple treatments to extend his life. He was fond of saying that he had a lot to live for and every day was a great day. Stephen rarely let his health become a reason to stay home from work or turn down an opportunity to enjoy life even when it was laborious for him to do so. Stephen became a Multiple Myeloma Coach helping those newly diagnosed and was active in the Health Tree Foundation/Myeloma Crowd where they fund new research to find a cure. Stephen was preceded in death by his father Freddie Thomas, mother Jennell Thomas, grandson Jacob Spiedel, and brother-in-law Ed Edwards. Stephen is survived by his wife Karen Reedy Thomas, children Ren Thomas, Gregory Pandoff (Miranda), Janelle Thomas, grandchildren Riley and Jason Spiedel, O’Rion and Arianna Pandoff, sisters Fredda Thomas Edwards, Danita Thomas Heagy (Mike), nieces Joy Edwards, Hannah Reedy, Rebekah Reedy, and nephews Jonny Edwards, Jacob Reedy (Danni), Seth Reedy (Caroline) and Caleb Reedy. A private mass will be held for the immediate family with an open invitation for those who wish to drop by and celebrate Stephens life on Saturday, January 9th from 3:00 – 5:00 at the home of Mike and Danita Heagy. 916 South Forest Creek Drive, St. Augustine FL 32092, if you have any questions please call Danita at 904.501.1141. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to one of Stephens favorite charities. The Freddie Thomas 4-H Memorial Scholarship, 916 South Forest Creek Drive, St. Augustine FL 32092 SJA Alumni Scholarship Foundation, P. O. Box 777 St. Augustine, FL 35085 Health Tree Foundation/Myeloma Crowd https://www.myelomacrowd.org/healthtree/ CrowdCare Foundation, PO Box 1286, Draper, UT 84020