George was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on February 22, 1917, to the late Gardner J. and Katharine L. Thomas. He passed away in Sarasota, Florida, on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016. Elizabeth (“Betty”) was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, on May 11, 1918, to the late Gerard H. and Amalie Cowman. Betty passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Father’s Day, June 17, 2018. She had recently celebrated her 100th birthday with many family members in attendance at a party given in her honor. George and Betty were married on December 14, 1940, and celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in Sarasota, Florida.
George was a 1935 graduate of Marion High School and a 1940 graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Betty graduated in 1936 as valedictorian of Bellefontaine High School. She attended Denison University and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Following their marriage in Bellefontaine, they moved to Marion where George soon began his career at Foster Forbes Glass Company. After 40 years with the company, he retired in 1984 as president of the company. He was a member of the National Labor Relations Board of Directors for the Glass Container Manufacturer’s Institute, president of the Marion YMCA, member of the Marion General Hospital Board of Directors, and member of the First Federal Savings and Loan Board of Directors. George and Betty belonged to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Mecca Club, and Meshingomesia Country Club, where they were both avid golfers. Betty’s hobbies included reading and playing bridge. She was a member of Research Club, Tri Kappa, and the Hostess House. For many years, George and Betty spent their winters in Sarasota, Florida, and moved there permanently in 2006. They were members of the Sara Bay Country Club and the Sarasota Yacht Club. Following George’s death, Betty moved to Knoxville to be near her daughter and granddaughter.
George was preceded in death by his brothers, Gardner (“Bud”) and Richard, and sister, Katharine (“Katie”) Broyles. Betty was preceded in death by her sister, Geraldine (Berndt) Hamilton.
They are survived by their three children, Anne Myers (John) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Sara Haleen (James) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and George L. Thomas, Jr., (Pam) of Columbus, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service honoring the late George Lindsay Thomas and Elizabeth Ann (Cowman) Thomas will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Temple Congregational Church, Marion, with Pastor Jeff Jahn officiating. Interment will follow at Grant Memorial Park in Marion. Visitation will precede the service, from 10 to 11 a.m..
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in the Thomas’ names to a favorite charity will be greatly appreciated.
Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com.