Francis "Frank" Marion Thomas, Jr.

Francis “Frank” Marion Thomas, Jr., age 79, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 6, 2026.

He was born in Aiken on March 5, 1947, the son of the late Francis Marion Thomas, Sr. and Rosa Shealy Thomas.

Frank began his college studies at USCA when it was at Banksia. He then transferred to the University of South Carolina in Columbia where he received his BS in Business Administration.

Frank was a lifelong resident of Aiken. He spent forty-seven years of his career in banking and retired as president of Security Federal Bank in 2014. He interrupted his banking career for eight years to work as broker-in-charge at the inception of Woodside Plantation.

Frank loved Aiken and was very involved in the community. He was an active member of Aiken’s First Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and has served on many different committees. Frank was excited to have been able to assist with the “more than Sunday”project currently underway at Aiken’s First Baptist Church. He was also currently on the board of directors for Security Federal Corporation.

In years past, Frank served as a trustee for Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aiken Downtown Development Corp., Board member of the Aiken Corporation, the Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County, the GVW Board and Juilliard in Aiken, Habitat for Humanity, Citizens for Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA), and Trinity Lutheran Home Advisory Board.

Frank was a former member of the Board of Directors of the USCA Aiken Partnership Foundation.

Frank has been the Chairman of the United Way, president of the Kiwanis Club of Aiken, and president of the Aiken Board of Realtors. He was honored as Aiken’s Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 2015.

WOW! No wonder his big heart finally gave out.

Playing golf at Palmetto Golf Club in his younger years, cooking for family and friends, and attending the Masters Golf Tournament were all pleasures that Frank enjoyed. However, his greatest joy came from spending time with his family and close friends. He loved children, and he and Olline opened their home to foster children for several years.

Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Olline Letbetter Thomas; son, Frankie (Laura) Thomas, Aiken; daughter, Chesley Thomas (David Harper), Johnston City TN; grandchildren, Logan and Blake Thomas; sister, Dee Reeves(Andy, deceased), Aiken; sister-in-law and brother- in- law, Kaye and Woody Catoe, Candler NC; and several special nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Frank’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Aiken’s First Baptist Church with the Reverend John Carroll officiating. The family will then receive friends in the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will be private in the church columbarium.

The service will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/5869894/4b84d51e0b?fl=so&fe=fs

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Aiken’s First Baptist Church (www.fbcaiken.org (http://www.fbcaiken.org/)), or Fair Play Camp School (www.fairplaycamp.org (http://www.fairplaycamp.org/)).

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC

Frank’s online guest book may be signed by visiting Frank M. Thomas, Jr.'s obit page at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com