Brother Ted Thomas, Jr. took his eternal rest on August 15, 2020 at the Sentara OBICI Hospital, Suffolk, VA.  Ted was born December 26, 1957 to the late Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr. and late Mother Charletta Virginia Clifton Thomas in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Ted Jr., as he was affectionately called, was a member of a large family of noted gospel musicians and vocal singers. Ted could sing and lead songs like “I Hear Music in the Air.”  His passion was playing the drums which begun under his father’s leadership in the New Community Temple COGIC choir.  With such humble beginnings, he started playing drums at 7 years old, beating on chairs until his father brought him a drum set.  His father was the Pastor of New Community Church COGIC and church organist for many years while Ted was the drummer for the church.  Ted accompanied the church choir on their recording “Wade in the Water Like John” and traveled on tour to Chicago, which sold every record.

Ted left Portsmouth after college, studied at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, and relocated to Detroit, MI.  There he began his professional music career with local vocal legend, Ortheia Barnes.   St. James Missionary Baptist church located in Detroit, MI, Ted played drums from 1979 – 1985 under the leadership of Reverend Charles H. Nicks, Jr. and Mother Lucille Nicks.  They grew to become his god-parents.  Ted recorded many albums with the St. James Missionary Baptist Church Adult Choir.

 His distinctive groove and musical sensibility led to success as a session drummer for top gospel artists The Clark Sisters, Yolanda Adams, Vanessa Bell and the late Thomas Whitfield. Soon after, Ted hit the road with an off-Broadway production of the hit musical “Your Arms Are Too Short to Box With GOD”.

Returning to Detroit, legendary jazz guitarist Earl Klugh invited him to record and tour; this led to increased recognition and gigs with top industry artists Sean “PDiddy” Combs, Michael J. Powell, Jill Scott, Rachelle Ferrell, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Alexander Zonjic, DJ King Britt, Jay Z and more. Ted performed with Latin icon Julio Iglesias for three years on tours.  Ted embraced performing nightly on the hit culinary show Emeril Live!

Ted’s biggest influences were Harvey Mason, Steve Ferrone, Jose Luis Quintane, AKA Changuito, Jimmy “Diamond” Williams (drummer for the  R&B group, The Ohio Players), Maurice White, Brother Everett, and Quincy Jones.

Ted has been a professional drummer since 1978 and was very blessed to have recorded with some of the greatest musicians in the world as well as having the opportunity to write, produce and arrange music. On Jill Scott’s “Platinum CD Words and Sound: Vol 1.”, he not only played drums, keyboard, and percussions; he produced a couple of tracks as well.

Preceded in death was his father, the Late Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr., (General Board Member) of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.; his mother, Mother Charletta Virginia Clifton Thomas; and four uncles, Mr. Simuel Thomas, Jr., Minister Willie M. Thomas, Deacon Harold Thomas, Sr., Mr. Holmer Thomas and Mr. Charles Clifton; and four aunts Ms. Bettie Thomas, Pastor Hattie Thomas-Butts,  Mrs. Queen Esther Ward and Sister Susie Waff.  He leaves to cherish 5 brothers, Overseer Christopher B. Thomas, Bishop Marc A. Thomas, Sr. (Evangelist Naomi K. Thomas), Elder Charles H. Thomas, Sr. (Asp. Missionary Kim Michele Thomas), Mr. Jonathan D. Thomas, and Brother Reuben G. Thomas.  He also leaves to cherish a devoted god-mother, Mother Lucille Nicks, two aunts, Mother Gwendolyn Jean Parham and Ms. Zelma “Net” Harrington; two uncles Mr. Robert C. Clifton, and Mr. William “Tommy” Clifton. Two Great Uncles, Brother Simuel “Cecil” Clifton and Mr. Alphonso Clifton.  He also leaves to cherish, his nine nieces and nephews, Charles Jr. (CJ), Emmanuel (E-man), Marc Jr. (MJ), Kiara (Kia), Evan, Aaron, Ted J. C. (TJ), Na’Ami, and William (Marson).  He also leaves to cherish one great nephew, Bryson (son of CJ) and a host of cousins, extended family, church family, and a host of friends.