Thomas had love for city he served

Longtime City Attorney Robert Thomas had a love for Philadelphia and especially the Neshoba County Fair, his family and friends said. Mr. Thomas died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at home preparing to attend the Philadelphia Mayor and Board of Alderman meeting. He was 79.

When the mayor and board learned of his death, they went into recess to observe his passing.

Friends and family gathered for a celebration of life service at The First Baptist Church Saturday to honor his legacy. A native of Philadelphia, Thomas was born December 16, 1942.

Few knew him better than his son, Dr. Anthony Thomas, who watched his father change careers from being a successful high school basketball coach to becoming a lawyer in 1975.

“He was my hero,” Dr. Thomas said. “He always loved his hometown of Philadelphia, and he loved the Neshoba County Fair. He may have missed a Fair once but I don’t know it. He loved to talk about the Fair, and those who knew him always had a standing invitation to come by a sit a while at our cabin.”

Thomas enjoyed a successful basketball career, earning honors at Philadelphia High School, East Central Community College, and Delta State. After graduating, he became a teacher and coach. He worked in Tunica, Drew, and Magee schools and built a successful coaching career. He was the Mississippi North Basketball coach in 1969.

But around 1974, he decided to make a career change.

 “I have always been amazed that this amazing coach and family man attended law classes on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and in the summer and graduated cum laude from the Jackson Law School (now Mississippi College School of Law),” said Dr. Thomas. “I watched him do it but I still don’t know how he did it all.  He was a very competitive and courageous person.”

With that accomplished, Thomas moved his family to Philadelphia and he practiced law here for the rest of his life.

Thomas had a distinguished law career full of honors and accomplishments. He served as attorney for the city of Philadelphia,  the Neshoba County School District, Philadelphia Utilities and the Neshoba County Fair Association. He represented thousands of individual and business clients over the years. But practicing law was just part of Thomas’ life. He was an active member and deacon at The First Baptist Church. He sang tenor in the choir. He was a member of the Standing Firm Quartet.

“He was almost always the first person at practice and usually the last to leave,” said Minister of Music William Smith. “He had several solos, including one at the end of “Sweet Beulah Land.” It will be hard to sing those songs without him.”

Thomas will be missed around City Hall as well.

“We are going to miss our friendship with Mr. Robert and his guidance,” said Mayor James A. Young who is in his fifth term. “We will miss his passion for the community. He looked out for the community. We are thankful for his experience and the time that we had with him.”