Arthur Thomas

Arthur Ralph Thomas Jr., a resident of Huntington Woods, passed away at his home on June 24, 2010. He was born February 1, 1928 to Arthur R. Thomas Sr. and Opal Lydia Elmore Thomas in Brookfield Missouri. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Edna Maxine Gray Thomas; daughters, Cynthia D. Thomas and Sharon L. Thomas-Boyd; son, Randall G. Thomas; grandchildren, Matthew K. Boyd, James C. Boyd, Aurora Thomas-Hagerman and Quinn D. Thomas-Hagerman; sister, Ada Alice May; and nieces, Linda Ballenger and Susan Gillispie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Opal Thomas; and brothers, Robert Warren Thomas and J. Elmore Thomas. Art attended school in Moberly, Missouri and graduated from Moberly Jr. College and Missouri University with a bachelor of science in business administration. He joined the Army on October 4, 1946 and did his basic training in Ft. Lee, Virginia. He was stationed in Koto Japan. He was discharged from Camp Stoneman in California on February 21, 1949. His rank was Technician 5th Grade. Art worked for U.S. Rubber Company in St. Louis, Missouri after graduation from Mizzo. He left on July 11, 1953 to go to work for the Wabash Railroad. He was transferred to Detroit in May of 1958 and survived three mergers. He retired from the Norfolk Southern in September of 1987 as an assistant national accounts manager after 34 years of service. Art spent the summers at our cabin on Lake Millecoquin in Engadine, Michigan. He loved the Upper Peninsula and especially the fall colors. He liked to fish, but wasn't too successful. In fact, he bought more at the local fisheries than what he caught. He was a member of the Berkley First United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi Fraternal, Demolay's Rail Traffic of Detroit, and The Hiawatha Sportsman Club, where he served on the election committee. He was also a pen pal for the Huntington Woods Senior program to a 9 year old boy in 2006. Visitation Friday 2-8 p.m. and service Saturday 11 a.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Rd. 4 blks. E of Woodward, Royal Oak. Memorials to Oaklawn Hospital Marshall, MI, Komen Detroit Race for the Cure c/o Karmanos, Team HP/Cindy Thomas or American Heart Association appreciated. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.