Arthur H. “Art” Thomas, Jr., 88, of Dover, passed away Tuesday afternoon April 1, 2014 in Park Village Health Care Center.
The son of Arthur H. and Irene (Chinnis) Thomas, Art was born December 19, 1925 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Following high school, Art served in the Navy. Upon his entry in 1943, he began his service in the Pacific theater during WWII. Following the war, Art continued his career in the Navy and 20 years later, retired as Engineman First Class in May of 1963.
While in the Navy he met Elizabeth “Betty” Howard. The two were married on January 1, 1960
A member of the Fleet Reserve Association both locally and nationally, in 1983 Art was instrumental in founding the Richland County Branch #319. Art was also a member of V.F.W Robert Castor Post #5101, Amvets Post #26, American Legion Post #16, Mansfield Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Art was a member of the Lexington Church of the Nazarene.
Art is survived by his daughter Angela Douglas of New Philadelphia; grandchildren Michelle Fish, Michael Spitzer, and step-granddaughter Jennifer Spitzer ; brother Lowell Thomas of Bellville, North Carolina; sisters Mildred Cole, Betty McCartney, Margaret Scott, Wanda Casavant.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Betty Thomas, brother Cyril Thomas.
The Thomas family will receive friends Friday, April 4, 2014 from 10am-12 noon at the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where funeral services will begin at 12 noon. Burial with military honors performed by the American Legion Post #535 will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions to __________________ may be made at the funeral home.
Online condolences to the family may be made by visiting:www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
