THOMAS MD, George Phillips (Phil Thomas) passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, after a long illness on January 9, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Camille; three children, Eryn Hodge (Joe), Ashley Moran (Kevin), Clay Thomas (Patti); six grandchildren, Cailtin van der Meer (Bert), Patrick John Ratchford, Riley Moran, Walker Thomas, Dillon Moran, Wynne Thomas; his namesake great-grandson, George van der Meer; and his loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Sama and George Thomas and his sister, Jan Johnston. Phil was a lifelong Floridian. He was born March 5, 1936 in St. Petersburg. He attended Woodrow Wilson Junior High School and graduated from H.B. Plant High School. After graduation, he attended Marion Military Institute and Emory University, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. At Tulane Medical School, where he met Camille, he was a member of Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity. He did his internship at McLeod Infirmary in Florence, South Carolina. He moved back to Tampa with Camille for his residency at Tampa General Hospital. After his residency he served in the military at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. He was in private practice for many years as an OB/GYN delivering thousands of babies and was Chief of Staff at Women's Hospital. Later in his career, he taught at the University of South Florida Medical School and worked at the VA Hospital. Phil was an ordained elder, longtime member and Follower of the Way at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. He was a founding member and President of the St. Andrew's Society of Tampa Bay, a member of Palma Ceia Country Club, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, Tampa Yacht and Country Club, the Merrymakers Club, and the Sons of the American Revolution. His love of gardening was apparent to anyone who visited his beautiful yard and gardens where he spent many of his happiest hours. He loved hunting and woodworking but mostly loved spending time with his family. He and Camille enjoyed world-wide travel and family reunions with their lifelong friends, Eleanor and John Moffett and Patsy and Dan Triplett. Phil also enjoyed a special friendship with his group of retired doctors who shared lunch and fellowship almost every week for many years. Due to Covid, a private memorial service will take place Wednesday, January 13, at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. The service will be live streamed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to H.B. Plant High School Academic Foundation, or Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church to benefit their work with the Beth-El Farmworker Mission.

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Published in Tampa Bay Times from Jan. 13 to Jan. 15, 2021.