Tijarra "T.J." Deon Thomas, 43, of Lakeland, entered the sunset of life on Saturday, October 16, 2020 at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, Lakeland. A native of Palatka, he was the son of Vernia Fluellen-Buchanan and Timothy Thomas, Sr., born on Tuesday, April 19, 1977.  He was a 1996 graduate of Palatka High School.  He was an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran who served our great nation for 15 years.  He subsequently became a government-contractor employee in Information Technology Engineering specializing in security technology and global security solutions employed by Advantor Systems, headquartered in Orlando, FL.  T.J.'s hobbies included working/repairing computers and playing Madden on his Xbox.

He was preceded in eternal rest by his maternal grandparents , Sidney (Margaret) Fluellen, Sr., paternal grandparents , Henry, Thomas Jr. and Mary Eliza Thomas; and a host of aunts and uncles.

He leaves to cherish his memories: mother, Vernia (Steve) Fluellen-Buchanan, Lakeland; father, Timothy (Pamala) Thomas, Sr., Palatka; children, Karla, Kayla, Tijarra, Deandre, Caiden, Marion, TyeJon, TahJon, Tyjarra, and Talayah; siblings, Timothy (Lalita) Thomas, Jr., Chavarro (Keashia) Thomas, Sr., Marcus (Erica) Thomas, Tolanda Thomas, Rhonda Jarra, and Yvette (Charles) Edwards; aunts & uncles, Martha Jackson, Julia (Henry) Jenkins, Veronica Foster, Sidney Fluellen, Betty Frazier, Irene Sanders, Jeanette Wilkinson, Michael Hanna, Marsha Miller, Linda Taylor, Sandra (Victor) Peeples, Elizabeth Shingles, Cecil (Juanita) Thomas, Frank (Brenda) Cooper, Nora Walker, Willie (Annie Mae) Battles, Kenneth (Angela) Thomas, and Charles Thomas; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In compliance with CDC COVID-19 guidelines (including required masks) a socially-distanced visitation of family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, October 30, at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity."  A Celebration of Life with the U.S. Army conducting military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 31 at Putnam County Fairground Pavilion, 118 Fairgrounds Road, East Palatka.  Rev. Herbert L. Johnson, Jr., Pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Palatka, is the eulogist. (Although attendees must remain in their cars, an FM receiver will transmit audio via radio.) Interment will be in Oak Hill East Cemetery, Palatka.