John F. Thomas

John F. Thomas, age 63, of Tecumseh, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend went home to his Lord Jesus on March 12, 2013. He was born March 29, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Paul and Wilma (Clouse) Thomas. He was united in marriage to Karyn Forbes on August 28, 1970. John was a 1967 graduate of St. Francis DeSalle High School in Toledo, where he was an outstanding basketball and baseball player and was a member of the area Student Council. He continued his education at Virginia Military Institute (Class of 1971) after he was awarded a basketball scholarship and later completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Toledo. John had a long and distinguished career in the agricultural/turf/ornamental industry and for the past seven years was part of the Residex family as a turf and ornamental sales consultant, emphasizing in lawn care, landscape and athletic field care. He held various management positions throughout the years and excelled at sales and customer service. John developed many close relationships with clients and coworkers. John was so well loved and liked that it could be said that he didn’t know a stranger, and if John ever met a stranger they quickly became a friend. John had compassion and love for everyone that God brought into his life. He especially treasured his love for his wife and family, and all his friends. John was committed to Jesus and actively served his home church.He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him. John was preceded in death by his wife Karyn in 2010 and his son J. Scott in 2011. John is survived by his daughter, Karianne (Dale) Epkey of Kalamazoo, Mich.; his sons, Rev. Jeffrey (Erica) Thomas of Chelsea, Mich.; and Rev. James (Jennifer) Thomas of Brunswick, Ohio; four brothers, Paul (Kathy) Thomas, Stephen Thomas, James (Debi) Thomas and Michael (Kim) Thomas and eight wonderful grandchildren, Justine, Ian, Quinn, Rebecca, Emma, Jeffrey, Christian and Caleb, whom he cherished. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 18 from 3-7 p.m. at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Visitation will then be held on Tuesday, March 19 at the Tecumseh Assembly of God Church one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral services with Pastor Tom March officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh. Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice in Ann Arbor, Mich., or Hospice of Lenawee in Adrian, Mich.