Timothy Allen Thomas

Timothy A. Thomas, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and accomplished attorney and business professional, entered eternal rest on Monday, June 15, 2026 with his beloved wife Beryl, by his side and surrounded by the love of family and friends. His life was marked by academic excellence, professional achievement, deep personal relationships, and a commitment to service and leadership. Timothy was born on January 5, 1958, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to James Early Thomas and Carrie Louise King. He grew up alongside his brothers, James Jr., Sean, and Kelvin, and developed the strong values of hard work, perseverance, education, and community that would guide him throughout his life. A dedicated scholar, Timothy attended Western Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration. During his undergraduate years, he demonstrated exceptional leadership as Budget Director of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and Chairman of the Black Business Students Association. Following graduation, he began his professional career as a Marketing Research Specialist and Sales Associate with Dow Chemical USA and later served as an Operations Supervisor and Computer Systems Administrator in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. Driven by a passion for learning and public service, Timothy attended Howard University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. While in law school, he worked as a Law Librarian Assistant and was honored as a recipient of the Trustee Scholarship. He was also an active member of both Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. Continuing his educational journey, Timothy earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Business School in 1992. It was there that he met the love of his life and future wife, Beryl Palmer. After completing his MBA, Timothy joined Cargill, where he would spend the remainder of his distinguished career. Timothy began his tenure with Cargill in the Law Department at the company's headquarters in Wayzata, Minnesota. His work and leadership led him to Geneva, Switzerland, where he spent five years serving as European Counsel. Later, he became Director of Supplier Diversity at Cargill's headquarters, where he championed opportunities for diverse businesses and suppliers. During this chapter of his life, Timothy reconnected with Beryl, and their enduring love and friendship blossomed into a lifelong partnership. They were married in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2009. Together, Timothy and Beryl shared a love of travel and adventure, exploring destinations around the world, including memorable journeys to Singapore, Cape Town, South Africa, Germany, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel and other exotic locales. Their marriage was built on friendship, mutual respect, and a deep appreciation for life's experiences. He is survived by his beloved wife, Beryl Thomas; his daughter, Timmayia, and her husband, Ronald; his cherished grandchildren, Zacharia and Cozette; his brother, James Jr.; his brother Kelvin, and his wife, Wanda; his sister-in-law, Kelly, and her husband, Garrison; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Early Thomas and Carrie Louise King; and his brother, Sean Thomas. Timothy will be remembered for his intellect, integrity, generosity with his talents, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. He took great pride in his family and friends and cherished every opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and create lasting memories together. Timothy's legacy lives on through the family he loved, the lives he touched, and the example he set through his dedication to education, professional excellence, and service to others. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Memorials Preferred to https://donate.umich.edu/R7X3e https://www.givecampus.com/s/88edbj Family Tribute: https://timothy-thomas-memorial.vercel.app/#remembrance

Timothy Allen Thomas

January 5, 1958 - June 15, 2026

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