Solomon Elwood "Woody" Thames, Jr.

Solomon Elwood “Woody” Thames Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, March 15, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Woody was born in Baton Rouge, La., on September 17, 1953, to Emily Lucille Rounsaville Thames and Solomon Elwood Thames Sr. 

He attended Villa del Ray Elementary, Broadmoor Junior High, and Broadmoor High School, graduating with the class of 1971. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a BS in Economics and a Juris Doctorate. 

He began his law career in Lake Charles, La., and then moved into the oil business in New Roads, La. In 1998, he opened his own law practice in Baton Rouge where he continued to spend most of his time in the oil business but broadened his skills into other areas of law.  Those areas where friends and family needed support, concerning the law, were the ones he focused on. 

Over the years, he sang with numerous choirs in Baton Rouge including the First Baptist Church choir, the Baton Rouge Symphony Chorus, and Opera Louisiane as well as local church choirs for seasonal performances. 

He taught an adult Sunday School class at First Baptist Church and lead Bible studies at various locations around the city. He was a deacon at FBC and loved serving behind the scenes.  

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Claire Thames and Greg Dus Sault. 

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 6, at First Baptist from Noon until the start of the 2 p.m. memorial service officiated by the Rev. Larkin Harris.

Should you like to, donations can be made in Woody’s name to your favorite charity, First Baptist Church’s 150th Anniversary (fbcbr.com) or Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home (lbch.org).