Ron Thomas Obituary

Rev. Ronald Gene Thomas

The Rev. Ronald Gene Thomas, 66, of Hope passed away unexpectedly at 1:51 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at Columbus Regional Hospital.

The Rev. Thomas was pastor at Hope United Methodist Church. He was a clergy member in the Southern Indiana Conference, a First Responder for Hope Volunteer Fire Department and had taken numerous mission trips.

He graduated in 1959 from Van Buren High School in Brazil, Ind., in 1982 from Indiana State University and later from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Hope United Methodist Church with the Revs. Jerry Crouse and Robert McMillan officiating. Calling will be from noon until service time Friday. A second memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Carbon United Methodist Church in Carbon, Ind., with visitation there from 1 p.m. until service time. Cremation is planned, and burial will be at a later date at Calcutta Cemetery in Clay County.

Memorial contributions may be made to Redbird Mission School, 70 Queendale Center, Beverly, KY 40912.

Born Sept. 24, 1941, in Brazil, Ind., the Rev. Thomas was the son of Roy F. and Mary L. Thomas. He married Sandra Goshen on June 23, 1962, at Carbon United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife; daughters, Kim (Jeff) Finnerty of Carbon, Karen (John) Barker of Morristown and Kelly Jones of London, Ky.; grandchildren, Dylan, Allison and Madelyn Finnerty, Zane and Kaitlyn Barker, Carrie, Thomas and Elijah Jones; brothers and sisters, Sharon (Larry) Hostetler of Wilkinson, Anita Pugh of Brazil, Dee Thomas of Lafayette, Kyler (Brenda) Thomas of Plainfield and Debbie (Rick) James of Brazil.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.normanfuneralhome.net .

Note from Pastor Ed: You can also leave online condolences at this blog's online memorial for my dear friend, by clicking here.