David Whetstone "Sonny" Thames (1932-2013) - Class Of 1950
THAMES, David "Sonny" Whetstone died at home on July 16th following an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Kingsbury Thames and Elizabeth Pelzer Thames, and a sister, Elizabeth Ray Thames. He is survived by his wife, JaNell Searcy Thames; three children: Mary Elizabeth Thames of Atlanta, GA, Clinton Moye Thames and David Whetstone Thames, Jr.; grandson, Clinton Moye Thames, Jr.; brother, William Gordon Thames, all of Montgomery, AL; Nephew and Nieces, William Gordon Thames, Jr. (Mary Owen) of Tallahassee, FL; Irene Thames Gardner (Huey) of Birmingham, AL; and Lilly Thames Lerner (Doug) of Houston, TX along with numerous great nieces and nephews. Raised in Montgomery, he attended Baylor Military Academy and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School. He continued his education at Auburn University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After serving in the U.S. Army in Heidelberg, Germany, he returned to Montgomery and joined his father in business. Later he started his own construction business, David W. Thames, Inc. and was involved in land development, apartment and home construction. He served on numerous civic boards in Montgomery and he was director of the Greater Montgomery Homebuilders' Association, Durr-Fillauer Medical Inc. and AmSouth Bank. Besides his commitment to Montgomery, he was a supporter and avid fan of Auburn University. Services will be held on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 11:00am at the Church of the Ascension with The Reverend H. Huey Gardner and Dr. Jay Wolf officiating. A private Graveside service will follow. The family will receive friends in the Ascension Hall from 9:30am to 10:45 am prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity . Pallbearers will be Greg Alford, John David Barranco, Carl Evans, John Goodwyn Gallion, Steve Hewitt, Greg Kirkland, Mark Kitchens, and William Lyerly. Honorary pallbearers are Tom Chapman, Ben Easterling, Berry Grant, former Chief Justice, Perry Hooper, Billy Hughes, Billy Kitchens, Jere Longshore, Felix Tankersley, Rube Thornton, and Ken Upchurch.
The family extends a special thanks to his caregivers Bea Aaron, Linda Murray, Margaret Davis, Erika Davis, Elaine Gaines and the Gentiva Staff. On line condolences may be made at www.leak-mc.com.
Published in the Montgomery Advertiser on July 18, 2013