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BY Francis Akhalbey, 9:00am June 30, 2025,

Family fulfils deceased man’s last wish by dropping $5K from helicopter in his honor

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by Francis Akhalbey, 9:00am June 30, 2025,
Darrell "Plant" Thomas died on June 15 -- Left photo credit: Crystal Perry | Right image via Facebook

On Friday, June 27, Darrell “Plant” Thomas’ two sons fulfilled their deceased father’s last wish when they arranged for a helicopter to drop $5,000 as well as rose petals on a street in Detroit

According to the Detroit Free Press, Thomas died on June 15, aged 58. His niece, Crystal Perry, told the news outlet that their gesture was a “final expression of love from him to the community because he was a giver.” “Yesterday was simply a farewell tribute to an Eastside legend,” she added.

Thomas was the owner of a Detroit-based car wash named Showroom Shine Express. He was also a licensed professional National Hot Rod Association race car driver. 

“He would do anything for anybody,” Perry said. “He just had a different kind of heart. You don’t meet people like that nowadays.”

Perry also shared a video of the helicopter dropping the cash and Rose petals. “Them boys SHUT Gratiot down on both sides dropped a light five bands & rose petals out the helicopter for my uncle P. A Eastside Legend,” she captioned.

READ ALSO: From car wash attendant to tech executive: the story of Tony Prophet

Last Edited by:Mildred Europa Taylor Updated: June 30, 2025

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