Joe F. Thombley, Sr.

Joe F. Thombley, Sr., 83 of Kennesaw passed away on Monday, March 2, 2009 at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. He was born on July 2, 1925 in Americus, Georgia. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Marietta with Rev. Dr. Sam Matthews , Rev. Sam Storey, Sr. and Rev. Cindy McDonald officiating. Burial will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery, Marietta, Georgia. He graduated from Columbus High School and was attending Auburn University in 1943 when his education was interrupted by his joining the Air Force during WWII, where he participated in the Central Europe Campaign as a B-17 Bombardier. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1946, he returned to Auburn and graduated. He married Jeanne Sasser in 1948. They were married for 56 years. He had a long career in sales at Bickerstaff Clay Products, while teaching Sunday school and coaching sports for his children. Mr. Thombley was a devoted father and friend, golfer, fisherman and supporter of Auburn University. Mr. Thombley was a member of First United Methodist Church in Marietta; the Jack Aaron Sunday School Class; the Marietta Country Club, Auburn Alumni Associate Life Member and the Eye of the Tiger Club. Survivors include his children, Joe F. Thombley, Jr. of Columbus; John S. Thombley of Kennesaw; Sally Thombley Ellerbee & husband, Leonard of Columbus; Roy I. Thombley & wife, Tracey of Powder Springs; daughter-in-law, Virginia Ann Padgett of Columbus; grandchildren, John S. Thombley, Jr. & wife Christine; Melisa L. Thombley & husband, David Nadelhoffer; Marilynn T. Christian & husband, Brian; Joe F. Thombley, III “Trey”; Allison Michelle Cobb & husband, Chris; Olivia Padgett; Wesley L. Ellerbee; Lindsay E. Luther & husband, Brian; Jesse Thombley; three great grandchildren, Hayden M. Cobb; Riley Cobb; Kenidee Luther; sisters-in-law, Barbara S. Peebles, Marguerite J. Sasser; special nieces, Peggy Morris and Ellen McDaniel and their families; Auburn Fraternity brothers and numerous life long friends. Gifts may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064 or to the Eagle Ranch for Boys, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, Georgia 30502. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory in Marietta, Georgia. www.mayesward-dobbins.com

Joe F. Thombley, Sr.

March 3, 2009