Obituaries:  A. M. "Sam" Thames, Sabine Parish       T-520
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Mar 19, 1997
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 

A. M. "Sam" Thames

  Two brothers, born and raised in Many, acquired early training
in the family furniture business, and then embarked on careers of
their own in antique business in Alabama and Illinois. Sadly,
though, both died after bouts with cancer.

  Most recently, Harold Paul Thames Jr., 55, of Montgomery,
Alabama expired. Thames founder and president of Herron House
Antiques, Inc., died Friday, Dec. 20, at a Montgomery hospital.
He died of pneumonia, following a bout with cancer of the
esophagus.

  Mr. Thames became ill the week of Thanksgiving, after returning
from a buying trip in Europe. He was hospitalized later that same
week.

  Involved in many civic activities, Mr. Thames founded the
antique company 28 years ago.

  Memorial services were held Friday, Dec. 27, at 2 p.m., at the
Church of the Ascension in Montgomery.

  Survivors include his companion, R. Nelson Bayles of Montgomery;
an aunt, Dorothy Lovelady of Many; cousins, Pat Vines of New
Orleans, and Argerine Taylor of Shreveport; and a godchild, Mary
Meghan Folsom of Cullman, Ala.

  Memorial donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society,
3617 Debly Drive, Montgomery, Ala., 36117.

  Thames was preceded in death by his brother, A. M. "Sam" Thames,
who died April 8, 1994, in Alton, Illinois, following a 17 month
battle with pancreatic cancer.

  Founder and chief advocate of the Broadway Antiques district in
Alton, Thames owned a furniture business, before purchasing the
old Kendall Cracker Factory in 1972. His love of antiques was
reflected in his frequent trips to Denmark and England, searching
for antiques. He also modeled professionally.

  During his career, he served as head of the Alton Antique
Dealers Association, a group he formed in the early 1970's. He
settled in Alton in 1969, after serving 5 years in the U.S.
Marine Corps.

  During his lifetime, he became a strong community leader in
Alton, supporting the restoration of historic landmarks in his
adopted home. As a member of Alton Area Landmarks Association, he
intervened in the Bern Highway case, which kept a roadway from
being built through Riverfront Park.

  Donations following Thames' death were used to renovate the
historic Hart House. Two of the rooms were painted yellow, his
favorite color.

  The Thames brothers, both born and raised in Many, worked in the
Sliman family furniture business with their aunt, the late Selma
Sliman Vines. Interestingly enough, both utilized their talents
and expertise in furniture to found antique businesses, and enjoy
successful careers elsewhere.

  The men were the sons of the late Christine Sliman Thames, and
grandsons of the late Dick Sliman.