THE family of an "amazing man of many talents" has thanked the community for its kindness following his shock death.

Sheldon Thomas's friends and relatives were devastated when the 30-year-old Oxford father of one died in hospital after his car veered off Parks Road and hit a tree earlier this month.

Following the funeral, his uncle Benjamin Johnson said the family was "grateful" for the touching response from the community.

The 62-year-old added: "We are moved by the love and affection regarding our loss.

"Sheldon was making plans with his life. A change for the better was about to come."

Mr Thomas's aunt, Lucille Johnson, said: "He knew how to make people who were sad happy, and knew how to make people laugh.

"He could put a smile on the face of anyone."

The 66-year-old from Littlemore added: "He was the type of person who would give up his seat on a bus if an elderly person got on or a pregnant woman needed a seat.

"He had his whole life ahead of him."

She said Mr Thomas's parents, Winspere and Caroline, were still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their son, who lived with them and younger brother Frankie in Saxon Way, Northway.

Mrs Johnson told how she had noticed the closure of Parks Road on May 2.

She said: "I remember passing and seeing there had been an accident. My phone started ringing constantly later on that day from my sister telling me I needed to get to the hospital."

Mr Thomas, who worked as a labourer, and another man in his 20s were taken to the John Radcliffe in Headington immediately after the crash in the city centre.

Mr Thomas later died from his injuries. The other man is still recovering.

Mrs Johnson said: "I got to the hospital and my brother told me I needed to talk to the doctor because he was in no position to.

"It's really affected us. My brother was just getting over the loss of our mother who was the backbone of our family. It's so painful."

Mrs Johnson said her nephew enjoyed music and she recalled the moment the first time he played a saxophone to her aged 10.

The former NHS worker said: "I had been away to America where my husband was based. We had a Sunday meal with the whole family and he played.

"It was amazing, I could not believe at that age he could do it – it was just brilliant.

"His dad and my brother could play as well, but Sheldon was a man of many talents."

Hundreds of friends and family turned out to celebrate Mr Thomas's life at St James' Church in Cowley on May 19.

The funeral featured various hymns and songs before the service was completed in Botley cemetery.

A Facebook group called RIP Shellz Thomas was created and more than 550 people joined to pay their respects.

An inquest has been opened into his death and will be concluded at Oxford Coroner's Court on October 5.