John Christian Thomas, formerly of Hope Mills, North Carolina was born on July 4, 1955 and died August 31, 2026 at the age of 71. He is predeceased by his parents, Alan Christopher Thomas and Mary Maxine (Sheckels) Thomas, and a brother, Michael Patrick Thomas.

John had a rough start to his life. He was born in Germany and abandoned in an orphanage. He was adopted by his parents who were stationed in Germany. He contracted encephalitis and meningitis at age 16 months, causing John to have severe brain damage. This did not deter John from living a fulfilled life and attaining goals that made us all proud.

He participated in the Special Olympics. He rode and cared for horses. He helped create beautiful wind chimes in a sheltered workshop in Sacramento, California. John loved his animals, always having cats and dogs. He loved music and was especially fond of Elvis Presley.

John was civic minded—participating in a military group designed especially for special needs adults. He was responsible for saving 2 small children from being abducted by a serial predator and facilitated the capture of predator.

He will be truly missed by his surviving family. Surviving are his nephews, Ian Alan Thomas of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Matthew Gettleman of Troy, New York; sister-in-law/guardian, Kathie Kirk of Atlanta, Michigan; and numerous cousins living in Pennsylvania, New York, California, and Texas areas.

The family is having a private service. John’s ashes will be spread with his two favorite people in this world, his brother and his mother.

His family is sure that Elvis Presley was there to welcome John into God’s Heavenly Mansion. Rest in Peace, dear John…you are already truly missed.

Arrangements were entrusted to Green Funeral Homes.