Dorsey O. Thomas III

Dorsey O. Thomas, III, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the age of 74. Loving husband of Brenda Thomas (nee Gross); beloved son of Kathryn and Dorsey Thomas, Jr.; devoted father of Shannon (Steve) Judd, Heather (Jimmy) Hendrickson, and the late John Farrar; cherished grandpa of John P. Farrar, Thomas Hendrickson, Josie Judd, and Lucy Hendrickson; dearest great grandfather of 4; dear brother of Kitty (Frank) Garcia. Dorsey is a native of Orange, Texas where he was born on April 27, 1951. His love of the ocean began as a boy as he grew up in the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola, and Decatur Alabama. His family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he graduated from Sherwood Day High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969 and served in the Vietnam War, and he retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves after 23 years of service as a Seabee. After serving active duty in the Navy, Dorsey attended Rankin Technical School to receive his associate's degree in Diesel Mechanics. He worked as a Diesel Mechanic with Fabick Caterpillar and retired after more than 35 years of dedication to the company. Dorsey enjoyed carpentry, renovating houses, and intricate wood carvings. He was always up to hitting the open road and taking a nice ride on his motorcycle where he could take in the outdoors of nature. He even camped all the way to Alaska on one of his trips. He also enjoyed traveling to the upper east coast to visit family in New York. As a man of many talents, Dorsey was quite the poet and shared his love of the written word with his family often. His passion for music spanned from Bob Dylan to the Cowboy Girls, old hippy-folksy music to polka, even in other languages. Dorsey dearly loved his family and spending time with them, especially his grandkids. He said it was the best job he'd ever had being a Grandpa and he even loved being called Crazy Man by his crazy grandkids. Dorsey lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every minute he was able to spend with his loving family. Life is an adventure and he made sure to explore as much as possible. There wasn't much Dorsey didn't appreciate out of life, except for people who talked too much and others who were know-it-alls; ha-ha! Family and friends can review and share stories, photos and condolences at www.stlfuneral.com and follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill

Dorsey O. Thomas III

April 27, 1951 - June 12, 2025