Joseph LaVaughn Thomas, Jr.

Joseph LaVaughn "Big Joe" Thomas, Jr., age 54, resident of the Arlington/Gallaway Communities, owner of Big Joe's Motorcycle ATV Shop in Gallaway and husband of Regina Thomas died at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Services for Mr. Thomas will be at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with interment in the Walls Cemetery at Braden.  A visitation for Mr. Thomas will be from 1:00 until 2:00 Wednesday afternoon at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Thomas was born November 22, 1957 in Memphis, the son of Willene Goodman Thomas and the late Joseph L. Thomas, Sr. He received his education in the Memphis Public School System and continued his education at the University of Memphis. He was active in his community, a master motorcycle repairman who took pride in his work and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed both hunting and fishing.

He was married August 4, 1979 to the former Regina Hill of Memphis, who survives. Mr. Thomas was a builder of many custom bikes throughout the Mid-South and was considered a "big guy with a big heart". He lived in Memphis for most of his life before moving to the Gallaway Community four years ago.

In addition to his wife of 33 years, Mr. Thomas is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Hanks (Bradley) of Gallaway; his son, William "Big Will" Thomas of Gallaway; his mother, Willene Thomas of New Albany, MS; his sister, Sharon Nichols (Don) of New Albany, MS; and his grandson, Adam Joseph "Toad Frog" Hanks of Gallaway.