From the Gallipolis Daily Tribune, D. Keith Thomas, 74, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at Cabell Huntington Hospital. He was born Aug. 18, 1932, in Gallipolis, son of the late Thomas A. and Mildred Thomas. He married the former Phyllis Waters on Sept. 5, 1954, in LeRoy, Ohio, and she survives him.
Keith was a 1950 Gallia Academy High School graduate where he was awarded the Music Key. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a business degree. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
Keith served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, having obtained the rank of Captain. Keith was President of Thomas Clothiers Corporation. This included Thomas Clothiers and The Hub in Gallipolis, Carter’s Menswear of Point Pleasant, W.Va., and New York Clothing House in Pomeroy. While at Thomas Clothiers, he instituted the Golden Helmet Award and sponsored several autograph sessions with the Cincinnati Reds “Big Red Machine”.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, having served in various offices, but his true love was the church choir. Keith was a past member of Gallipolis Lions Club and Gallipolis City Merchants, having served as president in both, and the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce, having served as director. He was also a member of the French City Treblemakers, a barbershop chorus, and the American Legion Post #27.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, David Mark Thomas in 2002
Saunders, Nathaniel Stephen Keith Thomas, all of Gallipolis and a granddaughter, Bethany Rebekah Elaine Thomas of Logan; a sister, Greta Thomas Caldwell and her husband, Richard of Columbus. Services were held Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at the Grace United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Stockton officiating. Burial followed in Mound Hill Cemetery. His six grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Full military honors will be provided by volunteers of area veteran’s lodges. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Keith’s
memory to Grace United Methodist Church. Visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.
D. Keith “Buck” Thomas ’54
Keith “Buck” Thomas and
his wife Phyllis at 50th OWU
Reunion.
Speak Your Mind