Edwin Cary Thomas, 72, of Sevier County, Tenn., died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at UT Hospital. Born Jan. 31, 1937, he was the only child of the late Edwin Llewellyn Thomas Jr. and Eleanor Spence Thomas of Knoxville; grandson of General Cary Fletcher Spence and Edwin Llewellyn Thomas.

Ed attended West High School and UT Knoxville, and pursued his great passion for history throughout his lifetime; also his love of the Smoky Mountains, music, sports cars, reading, and his wonderful dogs and horses. Most of all, he loved sharing these with friends and family.

Ed is survived by his wife, Carol Knapp Thomas; and cousins: Fletcher Spence of Knoxville; Hannah Parten of Loudon; Shirley Davenport of Knoxville; Ran Hooper of Newport; Margaret Caraway of Missoula, MT; John Caraway of Salem, OR; Susan S. Herbert; Beverly Hamilton of Jacksonville, FL; Isabella Thomas-Heinsohn of Huntsville, AL; Margaret Hatcher of Conroe, TX; Edwin L. Thomas of Hesperia, CA; as well as their many children and grandchildren, and many very dear friends, who were family to him as well.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m.. Friday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with the Rev. Chris Buice officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foothills Land Conservancy, Old Gray Cemetery, or the Museum or Library of your choice. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

n www.rosemortuary.com