Wayne Thomas, 82, of Dawsonville passed away Friday July 27, 2018 following a sudden illness. Mr. Thomas was born December 17, 1935 and raised in Robertsdale, Alabama. He was the son of a Baptist minister and of Baptist faith. Previously of Lilburn, he had been a resident of Dawson County for over ten years. A graduate of Auburn University, Wayne was an avid Auburn Tigers football fan and retired after 35 years of service as a civil engineer for the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. A kind and gentle man, he was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who always had a smile. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Rosa Lee Thomas and a brother, Donald Thomas. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Helen Thomas of Dawsonville; daughters and sons in law, Sue and George Thomason of Alabama, Debbie Barnaby of Dawsonville, Lisa Powell of Dawsonville, Tricia and Mark Barber of Cumming; sister, Joyce Calloway of Alabama, sisters in law, Pearl White of Florida, Jo Ellen and Gerald Bowie of West Point, Georgia; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; other relatives. Memorial services will be held Saturday August 11, 2018 at 11 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Mike Owens will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday August 11, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 11 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to brightfocus.org (macular degeneration research). Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com. Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.