Robert Edward Thomason Ii

Robert Edward Robbie Thomason II, 53, a native of Roanoke Rapids passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 5:20 p.m. at Our Community Hospital in Scotland Neck, North Carolina after a long illness. He was surrounded by family members.

Robert was born on February 3, 1963 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina where he spent his youth. He was the second child and only son of Robert Edward Thomason and Rosalie Ross Thomason (Jones).

As a youth and teen, he always loved to be active. Every day he could be seen on his dirt bike, speeding through the many trails in the woods surrounding his boyhood home.His adventurous spirit was an inspiration to all who knew him, but it sometimes dismayed his mother, Rosalie.

He displayed an attitude ofall or nothing in whatever he pursued. As an adult, he remained active enjoying water skiing, snow skiing, golfing, biking, surfing and skydiving. His kinesthetic intelligence rarely failed him. He had a gift for movement and an amazing agility.

Robert attended Clara Hearne Elementary School and Chaloner Middle School as a youth.Although very intelligent, he disliked the confines of school life and gave many teachers gray hairs.

After attending Roanoke Rapids High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy, he earned his high school diploma. He served his country as a sailor for four years on the USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitz class supercarrier.His Commanding Officer recognized him with an award as Master Helmsman, and Robert often steadied the powerful ship so the jets could launch and land. While onboard the Vinson, he participated in a ceremony commemorating his first crossing of the equator, earning him the traditional nickname Shellback or Son of Neptune.

After his service in the US Navy, he returned to his hometown and worked as a brick mason. He also worked as a finish carpenter and was later employed as a foreman with Precision Walls, where he helped build campus buildings at East Carolina University and a convention center in Manteo. During this time, he indulged his love of dirt riding and adrenaline rushes by racing his Kawasaki 500 at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Maryland. He married Kelli Pratt Thomason in June of 1995, and they enjoyed thirteen years together.

In 2005, he moved with his wife to Oak Island, North Carolina, taking a job with Cogentrix Power Company now Capital Power Corporation. He loved the beach, sun, and surf!In his eight years with Capital Power, he worked his way up from Plant Technician to Floor Operator to Assistant Control Room Operator.It was his responsibility to ensure worker safety by continuously monitoring all equipment in the facility.He was very proud of this accomplishment, as was his family.

In 2013, with failing health, he returned to Roanoke Rapids.Within a few short years he was placed on medical disability.Sadly he lost his battle too soon. He was a loving son, brother, husband, and uncle. His daredevil personality and adventurous spirit made him very lovable to all who met him. We will miss you, Robbie, and your intrepid originality.

He is survived by his father Robert Edward Thomason and sister Catherine Thomason of Roanoke Rapids and her son Taylor Jade Stevison. He is also survived by his grandmother Lattie Thomason and his aunt Sonja Jean Kidd, both of Roanoke Rapids; his aunt Ann Byrum and her spouse Campbell Byrum of Edenton, NC; and his aunt Lucia Cribbs and her husband David Cribbs of Valparaiso, In. He also left loving cousins Victoria Kidd of Winchester, Va.; Dr. John Cribbs of Tempe, Az.; Haley Cribbs of Valparaiso, In.; Julie Smith of Nags Head, NC; Michael Liagoure of Garysburg, NC; and Stephanie Brown of Roanoke Rapids, NC. He was also blessed with special friends Mike Jenkins and Wayne Harris, both of Roanoke Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Rosalie Ross Thomason (Jones) and his grandmother Eula Taylor Jones of Roanoke Rapids and his grandfathers John Benjamin Thomason of Roanoke Rapids and William Harrison Buck Jones of Hampton, Va.

The family will hold a graveside service at the old Cedarwood Cemetery on Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m.Memorials may be given to the Rainbow Animal Rescue of North Carolina..