Charles Daniel Thomas

Charles Daniel Thomas, 82, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Bellevue, Pennsylvania February 9, 1944 to Martha and Neil (Chidester) Thomas.

He is survived by his daughter, Maya Mier-Thomas; longtime dear friend, Jacqueline Mier; sister-in-law, Renee Thomas; nieces, Ashley Godfrey, Jennifer Thomas, Teresa Barton, Dawn Rogers; as well as his many dear friends, his dogs Koda and Lacie, cats; Felix, Herbie, Peaches, and grand-dog Millie.

He joins his many beloved pets, family, and friends across the Rainbow Bridge; his sister Kitty McCarter, his brother Freddie (Foot) Thomas, grand-dog Ace, Senny the parrot, his horses, dogs, and countless other loved ones. We know he will be greeted warmly with many open arms, paws, hooves, and feathers, into his paradise and become the Paradise Ranger he has always been to us.

Charles grew up on a family farm near Charles Town, WV, later moving to Morgantown where he was a paper boy in South Park. He graduated from Charles Town High School and served his country in the US Air Force as a Russian Interpreter after being selected to attend Russian Language School in Syracuse NY. Being in the top 0.5% of his class, he was assigned to the SIGNIT unit in Japan during the Vietnam War, intercepting Russian Radio Transmissions for US intelligence gathering. While in Japan, he played in a band with fellow corpsmen called The Jaguars and got his jaguar tattoo. Music was his passion, and he was a famous bass player in the Morgantown area, most notably in the Paradise Rangers, a favorite local band for many years. During these years, he met musicians and artists who became lifelong friends dear to his heart. You can find some of their recordings on Youtube.

Chuck was a self-motivated guy in all his many walks of life, from paper boy to bandleader to building his painting and landscaping business, Earthworks, to his successful appraisal business for the last 30 years, working even just weeks before his passing.

He was a strong supporter and protector of the natural world around him. He helped bring back monarch butterflies by demanding the land near him be a no-spray power line maintenance zone. He supported rattlesnake research in the Cooper’s Rock area. Trained in eminent domain, he has been a fierce opponent to the proposed Next Era MARL data center transmission line project that threatened his property, community and state lands for no benefit to West Virginians.

Chuck built his paradise in the mountains between Preston and Mon Counties. He loved stewarding and watching the wildlife around him; the birds, deer, turkeys, hummingbirds, butterflies and riding his tractor to tend to his land.

As a father Chuck provided the best oasis for his family, with acres to roam on horseback, transferring knowledge of Appalachian land, how to diagnose and fix nearly anything. He was “Mr. Fix It” both mechanically and metaphorically. His daughter grew up helping him change tires, fix cars, and appliances, running to fetch the tools needed. Chuck had deep-rooted qualities of protectiveness and loyalty. He kept his circle tight, and fiercely protected his family and friends at all costs. Although he was typically a pacifist, he even made sure she knew how to shoot.

When away from the mountain, he enjoyed heading to Big Pine Key and Crystal River, Florida to spend time snorkeling and fishing on his boat, and the occasional excitement of seeing a manatee.

He was loved deeply by his surrounding animal kingdom, family, and friends who will keep his memory alive in their hearts forever.

Being a West Virginia Veteran, Charles will be laid to rest in the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton, October 23rd at 1:00 pm.

In the spring we will be celebrating his life at his mountain home. We ask his loved ones to come respectfully enjoy his land, camp (leave no trace principles expected), play music, and tell the cherished stories of his life. Details will be updated as they become available at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, you can help donate to protecting his land and Appalachia communities from data center transmission lines at www.wvatli.org West Virginians Against Transmission Line Injustice and by contacting the Public Service Commission at https://www.psc.state.wv.us/ to voice your opposition.

Or encourage wildlife habitat on your own property, plant some native pollinator species, and fiercely advocate for protecting nature.

Some of his final advice in life was; “Be yourself. Protect Nature. Be Happy, Love Everything.”

Send condolences to the family online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com