Mr. James "Jim" Thomas, 84, a native of the Lepanto/Marked Tree area, and a 52 year resident of Madera passed, away at Hinds Hospice in Fresno on Friday, Jan. 30. Jim was a veteran of World War II, having served in the US Army in the European and African Theatres. In Madera he was a member of the VFW Post #1981. Jim was a retired cotton ginner, retiring in 1982 after 27 years with The Madera Cotton Gin Co-Op.

Jim is survived by his son Jimmy Thomas and his wife Cindy, by his daughter Debbie Bounds and her husband Steve Bounds all of Madera. He is the brother of Leo Thomas and his wife Gloria of Hanford, CA. He is the grandfather of Kevin and Jason Bounds and Jeffery and Michael Thomas and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews including Hazel Carson of Lepanto and James "Bud" Thomas of Tyronza.

A graveside service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2:00 p.m. at Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera.

Remembrances may be made to Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite C-1, Fresno, CA 93711-3513.