Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 29, 2026

CHARLOTTE - Robert Christopher (“Chris”) Thomas was called home by his Heavenly Father on April 29, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 13, 1962, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Chris spent his life planting roots and giving back to the community he loved. He was a proud graduate of Olympic High School (Class of 1980) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Class of 1984) and never missed an opportunity to contribute to his alma maters, including serving on the Advisory Board for the Kenan-Flagler Business School Alumni Council from 2015 until his passing.

Chris was a visionary in every sense of the word. He launched his career in commercial real estate at Belk Store Services before joining Childress Klein Properties in 1998, where he would spend the next 28 years shaping not only the greater Charlotte area, but many other parts of the Southeast. He played a key role in the development of landmark projects across his home state, including most recently Apex SouthPark, a transformative redevelopment on Sharon Road and one of countless defining chapters of his career.

SouthPark was not merely where Chris built his career. It was where he raised his family and where his heart was rooted. He grew up in the Montclaire neighborhood just a stone’s throw from the community he would one day help transform. He went on to become the founding board chair of SouthPark Community Partners, an economic development group formed to manage SouthPark’s Municipal Service District. He was, in every sense, a true servant leader.

Close friends and family often joked that Chris was the man who hung the moon — a testament to the immense generosity and leadership he poured into everything he touched. He served on the boards of NAIOP Charlotte, The Sharon, TreesCharlotte, Catawba Lands Conservancy, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and the Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (REBIC). He was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Charlotte since 2003, where he exemplified the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” During the pandemic, he turned his back porch into a classroom, teaching neighborhood children civics lessons — a small but telling example of the kind of man he was.

Chris was a devoted family man with a deep, abiding faith. He was involved in several ministries at Carmel Baptist Church and loved his church family dearly. He was deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of real estate leaders and touched every corner of Charlotte’s professional community. On Saturday mornings, you might find him cruising in his convertible with his beloved dogs, Phineas and Isaac, taking in the community he worked so hard to build.

The great love story of Chris’s life began in 1978, when he met Jane Boyd at Olympic High School during a production of The Music Man. What started on that stage grew into an unbreakable bond that would span nearly five decades. They dated throughout college and married in October of 1986, building a life and family together over 39 beautiful years.

Chris lived his life anchored in the promise that he will one day see his family again. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Jane Boyd Thomas; daughter Katherine Thomas Sipe, husband Keller, and granddaughter Sutton of Charlotte, NC; son Robert Vance Estep-Thomas and husband Zachary of Chicago, IL; his mother, Martha Jane Thomas; his brother, Greg Thomas; his sister, Meredith Thomas Tidwell and husband Mike Tidwell; his nephews, Jack and Benjamin Tidwell all of Charlotte; and a host of cousins and other loved family members. Chris was preceded in death by his father, Robert Carroll Thomas.

A visitation with the family will be held at Carmel Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 AM.

Chris’ family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Reza Nazemzadeh and his team at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute for their compassionate care throughout his illness.

Gifts in Chris’ memory can be made to SouthPark Community Partners, 4250 Congress Street, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28209 and The Harris YMCA 4625 Piedmont Row Drive Charlotte, NC 28210.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.