Rudy Adonnell Thomas, Jr., 57, of Tangier Island, Virginia, died Monday, March 17, 2014 at his home.

Born on Tangier Island, November 15, 1956, he was a son of Barbara Pruitt Thomas of Crisfield and the late Rudy Adonnell Thomas who died April 21, 1991.

Rudy was the 4th generation owner and captain of Tangier Mail & Freight, running mail to the island for many years. He attended Tangier Combined School and was a 32nd Degree Mason with Central Masonic Lodge #300 AF & AM in Onley, VA.

Rudy loved everything to do with boats. He enjoyed going out on his boat, buying, fixing and selling boats, fishing, and he loved the water in general.

Along with his mother, Barbara Pruitt Thomas of Crisfield, he is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, Beth Parks Thomas of Tangier; three children, Rudy A. "Tripp" Thomas, III and his wife Alicia of Tangier, Courtney Thomas Ward and her husband Keith of Crisfield, and Brett Edward Thomas of Norfolk and his fiancé Elana Parks; a sister, Dorolena Thomas Bowis and her husband Linwood of Reedville; two brothers, Wallace Thomas and Steven Thomas and his wife Denise, all of Crisfield; three grandsons, Lukas Thomas, Nelson Thomas and Kash Ward; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services officiated by Duane Crockett will be held Friday, March 21, 2014 at 2 PM at Swain Memorial United Methodist Church on Tangier where a visitation will be Thursday evening from 7-9. Interment will follow in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to Tangier Volunteer Fire Dept. & EMS, P.O. Box 239, Tangier, VA 23440.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com