MAJ (Ret.) Jason L. Thomas, USA of Arlington, VA, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Virginia Hospital Center. He is survived by his wife and sons, Susan Finley Thomas, Nathan James Thomas and Cullen Finley Thomas. In addition, he is survived by his father, Joseph R. Thomas,Jr.; mother and stepfather, Robert and Judy Harris; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Lori Finley and nephews Clay, Carter, and Ben Finley; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his in-laws, MAJ (Ret.) Dennis Finley, USA, and Ruth Finley.
Services will be conducted at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. His ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery later in 2026, followed by a reception at the American Legion Post 139. In lieu of flowers, donations for arrangements to be used during his service may be made to the St. Andrew’s Flower Guild.
Jason was born in 1972 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and spent his later childhood growing up between Alabama and North Carolina. He was a proud 1994 graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He and Susan married in 1995 and devoted over 20 years to military service around the country and the world. Jason deployed four times, including three combat tours in Iraq for which he received the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters.
Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Jason and Susan made their home in Arlington, Virginia. There, Jason continued public service with the Veterans Experience Office at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he spent nine years, ultimately serving as Chief of Staff.
Supporting Veterans was a privilege he cherished deeply, and he held genuine affection and esteem for his many fellow public servants at the Veterans Experience Office and throughout VA.
While living in Arlington, Jason was blessed to develop very close friendships and community ties. Over the years he volunteered with his sons’ various teams; he served with several St. Andrew’s Men’s Ministry activities, and he was a member of American Legion Post 139’s Executive Committee. Donations may be made in Jason’s honor to St. Andrews; to the Citadel Foundation; and to the American Legion Post 139. He was also a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Jason loved anything he did with Susan, Nate, and Cullen; traveling with friends; playing music; tending his bonsai trees; and doting on his extremely geriatric dog, Pumpkin. He was beloved and will be dearly missed.