Fuquay-Varina - Julian Durwood Thomas, 76, died Saturday, May 26, 2012. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at Thomas Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed the service at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Durwood was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was a life-time resident of the Needmore Community. Involved with tobacco throughout his life, he began his career as an auctioneer on both local markets and those in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. He became an owner of tobacco warehouses in Durham, NC and Sparta, TN. He served as manager of the Fuquay-Varina Cooperative Warehouse until his retirement. He was highly respected for his knowledge and leadership in the tobacco industry. An avid sportsman and wildlife enthusiast, Durwood loved to hunt and fish and had great expertise in the outdoors. He loved sports – especially football – and spent many hours at games or watching them on television.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Julian Preston and Hazel Hilliard Thomas and his brother, Billy Thomas.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Thomas; daughter, Kristina Thomas Best and husband, Joey Best of Fuquay-Varina; grandchildren, Grey and Anna Grace Best; step-daughters, Tanya Jenkins and husband, Greg Jenkins of Willow Spring and Kelly Marie Williams and husband, Mike Williams of Fuquay-Varina; step-grandchildren, Claire Marie Williams, Campbell Williams, Loren Jenkins and Logan Jenkins.

The family received friends on Monday, May 28, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home and other times at the home.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.