Ira Thomas, Jr., was born June 9, 1941 in Pollard, Alabama to Ira & Mary Thomas, Sr. He was a life-long resident of Mobile, AL. He also held dual residency in Florida the past 30 years, where he worked in the Ft. Walton Beach/Destin area. He graduated from Central High School and earned an associate degree from Bishop State Junior College. He was a certified HVAC technician, and held a CDL license most of his adult life. Ira loved to fix and build things, but his first love was driving. His career as a commercial driver took him all over the United States. He drove for Associated Transport Trucking Company, Gulf Transport Bus Line and Greyhound Bus Line. In 1987, he started driving for the Wilson Family of Frangista Beach Properties in Destin, FL. Ira loved to work, and he finally officially retired in 2017. Ira also volunteered his driving skills to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for over 10 years, during the MS 50 Mile Walk.
Ira was a member of Arlington Street Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ira & Mary Thomas, Sr.
Ira is survived by his wife of 57 years, Martha Thomas of Mobile, AL; seven children, Angela (Roosevelt) Robinson of Tampa, FL, Jacqueline Thomas of Mobile, AL, Iris Savage of Austin, TX, Ira Thomas III of Mobile, AL, Kirk (Sabrina) Bunn, Sr. of Brooklyn, NY, Enola Harper of Mobile, AL, Michael Walton of Boston, MA; 13 grandchildren, Nicholas Robinson of Tampa, FL, Mario Thomas, Johnathan Thomas, & Terrell Thomas of Mobile, AL, DeAngelo Thomas of Atlanta, GA, Noah Savage & Chai Savage of Austin, TX, Shakira (Teriek) Thomas of Boston, MA, Kirk (Monique) Bunn, Jr. of Brandywine, MD, Briana Bunn of Brooklyn, NY, Staneshia Harper, Stanley Felder, & Undrea Jackson of Mobile, AL; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Lovelace of Detroit, MI; two nephews, Amarti Lovelace & Brandon Lovelace of Detroit, MI; 6 sisters-in-law, Elsie Hall, Claudia Lewis, Lillie (Willie) Collins-Key, & Faye Nettles of Mobile, AL, Bessie Goode of Grand Bay, AL, & Thelma Collins of Boston, MA; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.