Alan R. Thomas, who served three terms as President of the Alabama Folklife Association, as well as holding other offices over the years, died on June 4, 2008 after suffering from leukemia and related health problems for several  years. He was 78.

He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and a US Army veteran. He served as  the Director of Public Relations and journalism professor at La Grange College in Georgia and later as Director of Communications at Southern Natural Gas Co.  

Al was the most enthusiastic and evangelistic of AFA members and was always recruiting people to join. Despite chronic health problems, he greatly enjoyed working in the AFA booth that we set up at various festivals and presiding over the annual gatherings held in small cities across the state.  As expressed in his obituary, he had a life-long passion for all types of music, with a special affinity for old-time music and Sacred Harp.  He requested that old-time music be played at his funeral and that promise was fulfilled by the string band, Flying Jenny, in which the AFA executive director and her husband play.  They played the tune of the Sacred Harp hymn, “Murillo’s Lesson.”

His wife Gypsy, who has also been a strong supporter of the AFA, requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the AFA or to their church, Vestavia Hills United Methodist. We will greatly miss Al Thomas, under whose leadership the AFA grew in size and mission.

         Al with Trudy Brower at Pepper Place Farmer's Market

Al with Joyce Cauthen at Temple Mishkan Israel in Selma

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