Gary Thomas

Gary David Thomas was born on July 22, 1962 to Mary Louise Thomas McCoy and Nelson Walton. A life-long resident of Columbus, Ohio, Gary attended Columbus City Schools, graduating from Marion Franklin High School. He died suddenly in New Albany, Ohio on September 2, 2018.

Gary worked at Fifth Third Bank, and as a corrections officer for the State of Ohio. Over the last summers, he helped youth with special needs develop job and life skills, which he loved. For the last 17 years, he was a Campus Supervisor at Gahanna-Lincoln High School (GLHS). This position allowed him to blend his skills, natural talent, and commitment to young people to help students navigate their high school years. It is clear that he made an impact because it was almost impossible to go anywhere in Gahanna or anywhere in Columbus without hearing, "Hi Mr. Thomas! Remember me?" or "Oh man, Mr. Thomas, remember when you broke up that fight I had?" The gift that Gary had for working with students only was matched by his gift for yelling over the voices of 2,600 high school students. "Mr. Thomas" always held students to account. But they also knew that they could share their fears, successes, failures, and questions with "Mr. Thomas," and he would always be there for them.

Gary had a wide range of interests. He had recently become a lacrosse referee, and he loved delving into the nuances of the game. Gary loved to learn about and discuss history, politics, and social justice issues. He was an avid reader, and shared his enthusiasm for reading with family, friends, and students. He also loved to travel, especially to hot climates with oceans and beaches. Gary enjoyed trying new foods and drinks, and he loved eating foods from around the world.

A former football player and body builder, Gary was a sports fanatic. It is an understatement to say that Gary was a Michigan football super fan. He relished everything "Go Blue," and loved ribbing OSU fans about the two schools' storied rivalry. Although "Mr. Thomas" was loud, Gary Thomas was shy, sensitive, and introverted...at least until Michigan played football. Gary became very thoughtful about the importance of the intersection of professional sports and social justice, often discussing (translation: arguing) such issues over drinks and cigars with Keith Wilson, one of Gary's 'brothers by choice.' Gary embraced and valued his closest friends, all of whom knew that Gary always could be counted on to show up and love them through life's highs and lows.

Gary was a loving father who was his children's biggest cheerleader and supporter. He took pride in being an active, engaged father and stepfather who coached his children's teams, attended their concerts and events, and stood ready to develop and support them in any way that he could. Gary wanted his children believe in themselves, just as much as he wanted them to walk through life being kind to others. He deeply grieved the unexpected death of his son, Gary Matthew Thomas, in August 2016.

Gary was a devoted husband to his wife Allison; he demonstrated his love for her in ways large and small.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; a cousin, Michael Thomas; and his son, Gary Matthew Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Allison Lowery Palmer; sons, Marcus Anthony Harris and David Alexander Thomas; stepchildren, Alexander and Alyssia Palmer; brothers, Stephen Thomas (Traci), Joe McCoy, Nelson Walton, and Darnell Walton; his aunt, Ruby Smith; uncles Paul Thomas and Kenny Nallie; his niece Celina Thomas, and a host of family and friends.

Family will receive friends from 1-4pm on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at the Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, Ohio 43230. A Funeral Service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 444 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215 at 11am with visiting prior from 10-10:45am. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Gary's name to: Gahanna-Lincoln High School Lions Locker at GLHS/ Lions Locker, 140 S. Hamilton Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230 or http://tinyurl.com/lionslockerglhs or to Charity Newsies, 4300 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43214.