George Thomas died peacefully on Jan. 18 with his family by his side at his home in Naples, Fla. He was 81.

He was born in St. Louis, Mo. on July 29, 1942, the son of Proctor and Katherine Thomas. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1964 and from the University of Virginia Law School in 1967.

George practiced law in St. Louis, starting at Armstrong Teasdale in 1967 and retiring from Anheuser-Busch in 2003.

After he and his wife Joan retired to Naples, Fla., they traveled extensively with friends and family and spent summers at their home on Martha’s Vineyard.

George was an avid golfer who not only had eight holes-in-one but also witnessed his father, brother, son and wife each make a hole-in-one. He served on the board of directors at Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis and as chairman of the board of governors of Club Pelican Bay in Naples.

George is survived by his devoted wife, Joan; his brother Terry of Houston, Tex.; two children, Clark and his wife Michele of St. Louis, and Katherine Wells and her partner Tom Jaffe of Brooklyn, N.Y. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Cameron Thomas and spouse Trevor Bernard, Elise Thomas, Henry Wells and Thomas Wells; and his beloved four-legged best friend, Maggie May.

A reception in George’s memory will take place at a date to be determined.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Martha's Vineyard Boys & Girls club at mvbgclub.org.

Online condolences may be offered by visiting ShikanyFuneralHome.com.