Marion Erskine Thomas, 83, of Liberty, retired pastor and pilot, died Feb. 27, 2010, at his residence.
Born in Lowell, N.C., he earned a master of theology degree from Southern Baptist Seminary.
During World War II, he served as a merchant marine and later in the Korean War as a first lieutenant in the Air Force. Thomas was highly decorated, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, and was an F-86 fighter pilot for the North Carolina Air National Guard.
He was a commercial pilot for Trans World Airlines for many years and was also employed as a private corporate pilot.
Thomas was an avid golfer, fisherman and pontificator. He was most recently a member of Norris First Baptist Church. Prior to his move to Liberty, Thomas was the pastor of Little Stephens Creek Baptist Church in Edgefield and later worked for Saluda Baptist Association.
Surviving are his wife, Judith Morton Thomas, three children and seven grandchildren.