Lonnie Meredith Thomas, age 84 of Sanford, died Friday (4/6/2018) at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford. He was born in Lee County, son of the late Fred Thomas and Pauline Sloan Thomas Bridges. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Michael Lonnie Thomas and half-brother Ernest Bridges Jr. Lonnie was a graduate of NC State University and was Lieutenant in the United States Air Force where he was a pilot. He served on the Broadway Planning Board, was a former supervisor for the Board of Supervisors of the Lee County Soil and Water Conservation District and was on the Board of Directors of Mid-South Bank. He was a surveyor, was the owner of San-Way Mobile Home Dealership, and Woodland Trails Mobile Home Park. He was also the owner and operator with his family of Broadway Produce Farms and was a member and Deacon of the Shallow Well Christian Church. Farming was his greatest love in life besides his family. Funeral services will be conducted at 2pm Monday at Shallow Well Church with Rev. Donald Thompson and Rev. Garland Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Shallow Well Church Cemetery with Military honors.  Surviving is his wife Betty Thomas Thomas of the home. Daughter, Gracie Thomas Freeman and husband Howie of Sanford. Grandson, William Freeman of Sanford, NC and half-brother, Robert Paul Bridges of Wilmington, NC. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6-8pm at the Smith Funeral Home in Broadway. Online condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com Arrangements are by the Smith Funeral Home of Broadway.