Ronald Frank Thomas

Dr. Ronald Frank Thomas, age 70, peacefully left this earthly world on Monday, March 14, 2016 at his home in Hillsborough. Born oneebruary 19, 1946 in Salem, Massachusetts, Ronald was son to the late Edward and Amelia Szpak Thomas.?? People always said that Ronald had a wonderful sense of humor as well as an adventurous spirit.?? He attained a Doctorate degree in Molecular Biology and Marine Biology.?? Growing up Ronald learned to appreciate every experience he was blessed with in his life.?? He worked as a research biologist for many years and was an avid deep sea diver who discovered a new genus of the octopod family called the Tremoctopus.?? Ronald loved studying rocks, gems, minerals and all the geological changes that can occur with them.?? He enjoyed time traveling all over the world and has visited many countries on every continent. Survivors include his son, Adam Robert Thomas of Ware, MA; his brother Edward Thomas of Poulsbo, WA and his special Life Partner, Margaret Higgins of Hillsborough, NC. A memorial Mass will be held at the Hall-Wynne Funeral Chapel, 1113 West Main Street, Durham, NC?? 27701 on April 6, 2016 at 11:00AM???? with Fr. Mark Betti officiating. Flowers are welcomed and appreciated, or memorial contributions in Ronald???s memory canee made to the ASPCA Tributes, 520 8th Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Arrangements for the Thomas family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com.