James Howard Thomas, age 80, passed away at 12:22 pm, Thursday, March 14, 2024 at home after a strong four-year fight against cancer. Mr. Thomas was born November 5, 1943, in Mayfield, Kentucky to Ruble Franklin and Anna Lou Shelton Thomas who were clothing factory workers. He grew up in Pryorsburg, Kentucky where he attended church at Pryorsburg Methodist with his parents and sister, Barbara.
He was fascinated by science from a very young age. His mother let him do minor experiments in the backyard shed, and he read about atomic energy and chemistry.
He was a Wingo High School graduate (1961) and began college at Murray State University (MSU) in 1961 where he met Diane Dick. He and Diane were married Sept 14, 1963 at Northside Church of Christ in Mayfield, KY where they were members. He was also a member of Lone Oak Church of Christ in Paducah, KY for many years of his life.
He paid his way through college mostly by working several years in physical labor at Ken-Tenn Clay Company. He graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry; a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering Technology; and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Additionally, in 1983 he was selected by Union Carbide to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to complete an Executive Development Program/Executive MBA.
He worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for Union Carbide Nuclear Division from 1966 to 1968 in the isotope lab in the Y-12 building. He tested the strength of electric components to qualify them for NASA's Apollo 8 spacecraft using radiation beams within the cyclotron machine, and he separated isotopes for a special project for the AEC Chairman Glenn Seaborg who later had a periodic element named for him (Seaborgium 106).
He obtained a job at Allied Chemical plant in Metropolis, Illinois in 1968 as a process engineer in fluorination for supervisor A.D. Riley who became one of his most-admired mentors.
In 1975, he was promoted to Corporate Manager of Process Technology, picking up management of several Allied Chemical labs across the U.S. He was also on the Nuclear Fuel Committee of the American Society of Testing from 1973 to 1984, serving one year as Chairman.
In 1977, he was promoted to plant manager of Allied Chemical Metropolis and he held that position until 1980. During his leadership, he worked with engineers and the Illinois Pollution Control Board to meet fluoride water quality discharge standards, resulting in Allied Chemical Metropolis being awarded Best Pollution Control Industry Award.
In 1980 he rejoined Union Carbide, this time at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) where he managed many different departments over the years including Operations Planning, Production Engineering, Environmental Safety and Health, and Plant Security, and he carried the highest level of security clearance until he retired. He was in management during the transition of the PGDP from Union Carbide to Martin Marietta in 1984 as well as the merger of Lockheed and Martin Marietta in 1995. In 1993, he moved to Washington, DC for almost a year to be an advisor for the early stages of the founding of United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC).
In 1999 he set up an office in Lone Oak, KY for a USEC SILEX project and lived part-time in Sydney, Australia from 2000 to 2003 during his work on SILEX. He loved living in Sydney Harbor, and while there he attended opening ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
By the time he retired from USEC at the end of 2004, he had the unique distinction of having worked with practically all existing techniques of uranium enrichment used by the U.S.A. (electromagnetic, diffusion, atomic vapor laser, laser excitation, and centrifuge).
After a short, restless "retirement", he went to work for Daramic-Polypore in Owensboro, KY from 2006 through 2008 as Environmental Safety and Health Director. He traveled to six U.S. facilities and nine overseas facilities throughout Europe and Asia solving plant environmental issues.
When he was referred by the U.S. Dept of Energy to International Isotopes Inc. (INIS) of Idaho Falls to work on a special nuclear isotope project, he formed and operated a consulting firm, Advanced Process Technology Systems (APTS) from 2008 to 2022. He and his consulting team obtained a 40-year nuclear license for INIS and also performed process design work for a uranium de-conversion and fluorine extraction processing facility.
Although diagnosed with bone cancer in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, he continued to work remotely. Later he worked for American Fuel Resources (a nuclear components and services brokerage) in 2023-24 when he was 80 years old, his mind sharp as ever.
Alongside his extensive full-time career he worked as an adjunct professor, teaching numerous graduate night-classes for Austin-Peay State University on Fort Campbell, KY military base from 1986 until about 1999 to Army soldiers and officers. He also taught many night-classes for Murray State University (MSU) beginning in 1984 for about 30 years, while also working his full-time day jobs. He loved teaching.
He traveled all over the USA and the World for business during his long career. He loved his work and keeping his mind active at all times. He was knowledgeable in almost any subject and could speak intelligently about any topic. Once he studied something, he never forgot it and could make application of whatever he learned. He was a life-long learner and teacher.
He was extremely independent and self-reliant. He especially loved sailing and owned various boats since 1985. He took the family on many vacations all over the U.S.A. and he always provided well for his family. He was a very generous person who will be greatly missed by family and friends.
He is survived by three sons, James Eric Thomas, Howard Scott Thomas (wife Amy), and Jon Alex Thomas all of Paducah, KY; their mother, Diane Dick Thomas of Paducah, KY; two granddaughters, Aubrey Quinn Thomas and Finley Drew Thomas both in college at Bowling Green, KY; one sister, Barbara Ann Thomas Crass of South Fulton, TN; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-in-law Darrel Crass and James Lawson, and a nephew Dwayne Crass.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at the Lone Oak Chapel Of Milner & Orr Funeral Home with Paul Wingfield officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Park Cemetery in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held on Sunday, March 24, 2024 from 12:30 pm until the 2:00 pm service time at the Lone Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Homes.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
You may share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
