Published: June 04, 2009 07:59 pm      

Thomas the "epitome of everything ... good in our community"

Doctor to the community for more than 45 years. A public servant for a great part of the past 37 years. A member of many different community organizations. Friends said Dr. Don Thomas has made an impact on the Dalton area in numerous roles.

“Dr. Thomas is just a superior example of everything that is good about a human being. He’s a wonderful physician,” said John Bowling, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Care System. “He’s a wonderful family man. He’s a great state senator. He is the epitome of everything that is good in our community.”

Family, friends and colleagues from around Northwest Georgia gathered Thursday night at The Farm to honor Thomas at the 20th annual Toast of the Town dinner.

“I don’t know that there is anybody in our community who has worked harder for this area,” said state Rep. Tom Dickson, R-Cohutta.

Dalton Mayor David Pennington said Thomas epitomizes community involvement.

“He’s been the doctor for just about everybody. He’s served on the school board. He represents us in the state Senate,” he said.

“Every community should have a Don Thomas,” said businessman Dan Combs. “And we’d like to have a thousand Don Thomases.”

Thomas said he was “totally overwhelmed” by the turnout.

“I’m just a a little farm boy,” he said. “But I’ve been fortunate to have the support of many, many people over the years.”

Thomas said giving back to the community is something that has always been a priority for him.

“I love people. I love working with people and helping people. And I love the practice of medicine,” he said.

“This makes me so happy. But what really makes me happy is that we are raising money for the Family Support Council,” he added. “It’s certainly a worthy cause.”

The Toast of the Town dinner is the major fundraiser for the Family Support Council, which provides a wide array of services to children and families in Whitfield and Murray counties.

“We have a lot of folks in our community who are hurting. Certainly, we have people hurting now, with the economy like it is,” Dickson said. “But even when times are good, there are people out there who need help, and the Family Support Council has been there time after time to help those people.”

“The Family Support Council is the voice for people who do not have a voice,” said Pennington.

Past honorees include Lulu Westcott, Frank Stevens, Elbert Shaw, Dr. Sidney Sellers, Carl Rollins, Debby Peppers, Shelby Peeples, Erwin Mitchell, Shirley and Alan Lorberbaum, Dixie and Bob Kinard, Norris and Billie Little, Jim Jolly, Smith Foster, Dr. Roy Farrow, Bill Chappell, James Brown, Dr. Paul and Ann Bradley, Charles Bowen and Jim Boring.