Milford Ethelred Thomas

Born in Point Hill, Jamaica on April 14th, 1923, Milford E. Thomas was the 10th of 11 children. Milford was affectionately known as Sonny throughout his childhood. He was an excellent student, obedient son, and loving brother to his little sister Merlyn. His childhood in the country involved tending to his goats, swimming in ponds, and completing his studies by the light of kerosene lamps.
His father, Nathaniel, was a widower with 9 children from his prior marriage. He was an early founder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Point Hill. His mother, Ada, was a devout Anglican. As a result, both children attended church on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Their devotion to God and commitment to their faith was a priority throughout their long lives.
Ada had great expectations for Sonny and Merlyn. Strong academic performance was important to her. His dream was to become a physician. He was very strong in science and math, and this led him to become a civil servant working on the Malaria Unit for the public health system in Jamaica. He was the youngest member of the team working on Malaria abatement and prevention. He traveled the island and sent money home to help his family.
He met Gloria Bryan, who later became the love of his life, while working on the Malaria Unit. Her mother, Mabel, had other plans. When Gloria was 21, she was shipped off to London to study nursing. A few years later, Sonny immigrated to the United States determined to fulfill his dream to become a doctor. He studied Biology on the La Sierra Campus of Loma Linda University. As he approached the end of college he proposed to Gloria. They were married on June 1st, 1958, in Matheson Chapel on the La Sierra Campus of Loma Linda University.
He entered medical school in 1960 and it was during this phase of his life that his first child, Judy Ann was born. During his residency at White Memorial Hospital, his second child, Paula Dianne, was born. Milford Anthony (Tony) was born during his first year of practice as a Family Physician.
Milford enjoyed his career as a Family Physician. He knew all 13 of the original partners that began the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. He was Assistant Chief and was well loved by his colleagues. He retired after 30 years with the medical group. He continued to join them once a week for physician education into his late 70s and early 80s. He was warmly greeted by his patients not only where he practiced in Pasadena but also during chance encounters in California, the U.S. and around the world.
Throughout his life he dedicated his free time to organizations he cared deeply about. He sat on the board of San Gabriel Adventist Academy. He served on several committees at his church, White Memorial. He was also treasurer for many years for the Pacific Coast Alumni Chapter of Northern Caribbean University.
He loved spending time with his family on Sabbath afternoons at Descanso Gardens, the Arboretum, at Switzer Falls and along Zuma Beach. He enjoyed traveling the world and especially visiting his sister and her family in the UK. During retirement, he and Gloria traveled the world.
He quietly passed away just after sundown on Friday May 20th, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife Gloria, of almost 64 years; his 3 children Judy Thomas Williams, Paula Thomas Ardron, and Milford Anthony (Tony) Thomas; his 2 sons in laws Jay Williams and Daniel Ardron and his daughter in law Marissa Galvez Thomas; and 6 grandchildren Taylor Williams, Madison Williams, Brenna Ardron, Bryan Ardron, Chloe Marie Thomas, and Sophia Pilar Thomas. He also leaves behind his Aunt Jane and the many nieces and nephews he loved in the UK, Canada, and Jamaica.

The memorial service will be held at Forest Lawn Glendale, July 21st at the Church of the Recessional at 2:30 pm. Please join the family immediately after the service for a repast at the Renaissance Banquet Hall 1236 S. Central Ave, Glendale, Ca. 91204

The service on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at the Church of the Recessional will be livestreamed and recorded via the following password protected link: https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MzIzNDk4Mg== The link will be active at 2:15 p.m.

The access password is: thomas (all lowercase)