Henry Briscoe Thomas ’40

HENRY THOMAS, retired president of the Palmetto Compress & Warehouse Co., died July 12, 1990, in Columbia, S.C. Henry joined 1940 with that splendid group from Gilman School. He played varsity lacrosse, was a Cap and Gown member, roomed with Johnny Koppelman and majored in psychology. After WWII service as an afficer in the airborne troops, he married Beckie Lucas.

Henry's working career was connected with the cotton warehouse industry. He had been president of the Cotton Warehouse Assn. of America and the Carolinas Cotton Warehouse Assn., and served on the board of the National Cotton Council. He was particularly mindful of his community, participating in a wide range of organizations, and had been on the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. His interest in Princeton was steadfast, for he helped form the S.C. Princeton Alumni Assn., was its first president, and chaired the S.C. $53 million campaign.

To his widow, Beckie; three daughters; and eight grandchildren; and brothers Robert '42, J. Richard '47, and Andrew '49, the Class extends its sympathy. The Class will sense deeply the absence of his friendly nature, optimistic outlook, and good company.

The Class of 1940