Mr. Marvin "Butch" Wayne Thomas

Our beloved son, brother and uncle went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at the age of 63 years. He was a resident of Atlanta, Georgia. Marvin “Butch” Wayne Thomas was born in Saginaw, Michigan on December 27, 1955 at Saginaw General Hospital to the proud parents of Mark, Sr. and Annie Mae (Jackson) Thomas. He graduated from Saginaw High School, “Class of 1974”. While Butch attended high school, he and some friends, fellow musicians formed a band called The New Young Brass and Rhythm Band. He also played the piano for the Sun Beam Youth Choir while attending Bethlehem Baptist Church. Later, his parents allowed him to take correspondence courses in his 11th grade year while traveling on tour with Bobby Byrd’s Rhythm and Blues Band. After a year of traveling with the band, Butch returned to Saginaw High School and graduated in his 12th grade year. He served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and retired in 1981. Butch studied his undergraduate work at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting in 1984. Soon after achieving his B.A. Degree, Butch relocated to the State of Illinois where he attended Northwestern University’s Evanston, Illinois Campus, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Butch earned a Master’s Degree in Business Management in 1987. After Mr. Thomas retired from the corporate offices of AT&T located in Atlanta, he operated an online business called, “Card Jazz”. Through this business he sold customized playing cards, supplies and gift items to various Bridge, Poker, Pinochle, Bid Whist, Spade and playing card organizations. Butch also wrote two (2) books titled: Final Rules on Bid Whist, The Bid Whist Cook-Book and Pre-School Poker Coloring Book. He enjoyed traveling to various card playing tournaments across the country and abroad. His hobbies included traveling, jazz keyboardist, painting and he was an avid sports enthusiast. His memory will be cherished by his father, Mark Thomas, Sr; two sisters, Lucille (John) Chaffer, Saginaw, MI and Annie Lee Thomas, Atlanta, GA; two brothers, Mark (Gennetta) Thomas, Jr., Idlewild, MI and Robert E. Thomas, Atlanta, GA; two aunts, Josephine Wright, Portsmouth, VA and Ann Thomas, Flint, MI; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Butch was preceded in death by his mother, Mrs. Annie Mae Thomas. Marvin “Butch” will be greatly missed. His smile, and great sense of humor is irreplaceable, and will be sincerely missed by his family and friends. Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Bethel A.M. E. Church, 535 Cathay Street, Saginaw, MI with funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Dennis Laffoon will officiate with interment in Eastlawn Memorial Garden, 7475 Holland Road, Saginaw, MI 48601 Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Mr. Marvin "Butch" Wayne Thomas

December 27, 1955 - July 28, 2019