Arlington (Cake) Thomas, Sr., 84, peacefully passed away on Friday, June 27, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born in Hampton, VA, on June 25, 1930. A lifelong resident of Hampton, Arlington retired from the Merchant Marines after 31 years of dedicated service. A devoted family man with a penchant for all things musical, he played several instruments but the guitar was his favorite. Merging his much-loved interests of family and music, he would collaborate with his children and their friends to orchestrate lively musical productions as entertainment for family, friends and sometimes the neighborhood. He touched many lives because to him, everyone was important. His humor and lively attitude placed him tenderly in the hearts of those who knew him as well as those who just met him; no one was a stranger. He was blessed with timeless wisdom and a quick wit that he often used to cleverly conceal lessons and guidance through hilarious stories in which all could relate. Even through the roughest moments of his long illness, his solid faith, high spirits and optimism never wavered. Every day, he would include in his morning greetings that he was "ok, happy and satisfied". He was a source of encouragement and inspiration to others. Arlington was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Conseola (Ruth) Simpson Thomas; his parents, Haywood and Luvenia Thomas, his brother, Haywood Thomas, Jr., and sister, Jonsin Thomas Mitchell. Arlington leaves to cherish his memory his children, Arlington Thomas, Jr. of Stone Mountain, GA (Zenobia), Sheryl Lewis of San Antonio, FL (Thomas), Tammy Hopson of Hampton, VA (Michael), Dwayne "Mike" Thomas of Newport News, VA, Lori Thomas and Richard Thomas (Lisa), both of Hampton, VA; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Celestine Johnson and Lillian Fobbs of Hampton, VA, and 3 brothers, Rudolph Thomas of Hesperia, CA (Sarah) Edward Thomas of Riverside, CA (Nikki), and Alvin Thomas of 29 Palms, CA (Wanda), along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 7, at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave, in downtown Hampton. The family will begin receiving friends at the funeral home at 10 a.m.