Champ Priddy Thomas, Jr.

CHAMP PRIDDY THOMAS, JR, was born in Memphis on July 14, 1944 and joined the Lord on March 30, 2025. He had graduated from Overton High School and attended Memphis State. He began his working career throwing the morning paper at 8 years old and went on achieve prominence with his former corporation, American Wire Rope and Fitting. He was even featured in the local paper as a promising and visionary entrepreneur.

By the grace of God, he was led to the Lord on January 20, 1979 having battled for years prior with alcoholism. He confessed his sins, received forgiveness, and remained dry for the rest of his life. He was baptized at Balmoral Baptist Church, became a deacon at Bellevue Baptist Church, and participated in many mission trips.

On January 5, 1985 he answered a second calling to become a minister. He gave up his previous life of worldly success and went on to receive a degree from Crichton College and a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Theological Seminary. He was ordained by Adrian Rodgers and proceeded to pastor four small Southern Baptist Churches, Ashport (Ripley, TN), Grenada, MS, Eudora, Arkansas, and Hickman, KY. Each of these saw growth while he was there. After he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree while pastoring, he returned to Memphis and became an Evangelist. Needing to support his family in this period, he also worked secular jobs. He found a new career as a car parts delivery driver for a local dealership and after years of hard work opened his own company Dealer Driver Associates, LLC. The company provides drivers to drive cars between dealerships nationwide.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Champ Priddy Thomas and Eleanor Cammack Thomas; his wife of 53 years, Ava Jo Thomas; and his daughter, Julianne Thomas. He will be interred alongside them at Memorial Park Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Schulz Laurie Thomas; his sister Judy JT Thomas Elliott; his son Champ Thomas III; granddaughter Haley Thomas; great granddaughters Logan and Brooklyn; and beloved nephews and cousins.

He was known and loved throughout the community.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following:
Bellevue Baptist Church
Calvary Rescue Mission
Warrior Center
Life Choice of Memphis
Shepherds Haven of Fayette County

Pallbearers: Jerad Walter, Jim Moss, David Vincent, Chad Wilbourn, Keith Hughes and Jamie McMahan

Honorary Pallbearers: Jim Wheeler, Don Rogers, Frank Bobbitt, John Thomas, Robert Brown and Richard Savage