He was born June 21, 1932, in Turtle Creek, PA. He was the son of Wilbur Howard Thomas and Mary Ann Selatta Thomas. John graduated from Turtle Creek High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, on August 27, 1951, where he proudly served his country as a Seaman/Fire Control Technician, during the Korean War, until his honorable discharge on August 19, 1955. He received the National Defense Service medal, the China Service medal (ext), the Korean Service medal as well as the United Nations Service medal. He was also awarded an ' Order of the Blue Nose' certificate. An award given to sailors to mark their first crossing of the Arctic Circle.
John married the love of his life on November 18, 1955 and they had 4 children.
He earned the Ferrous Metallurgy Certification in April 1964, from the Pennsylvania State University. He worked at US Steel, as a metallurgical technician, until December 1971. In 1972, John moved his family to Arlington, TX where he worked at LTV/Vought Aircraft, from January 1972, until he retired in 1994. John was a previous member of the Elks Lodge 2114 and Moose Lodge 1932 in Arlington.
Over the years he enjoyed coaching boys baseball along with teaching himself how to coach boys soccer. He loved singing, dancing, traveling, cruising and spending time with his family and friends, especially at his favorite place, No Frills Grill. He never met a stranger. He loved his country! A true patriot and proud American. He was a Christian, a devote Catholic, had a big heart, dearly loved his family and friends, and was a true gentleman that would go out of his way to help anyone. He lived his life to the fullest. He will be missed by many.
He was a loving son, brother, uncle, dad, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was affectionately known as Dad, Daddy, Pops, Grandpap, Pap Pap, Pappy, Uncle Johnny, Bubba, Kermie and the 'Old Dude'.
John was preceeded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Mary; his brother James Stirone and his wife Sara; his sister Mary Eisenberg and her partner Christy Stoechlein; and former wife Clara 'Sis' Thomas.
He is survived by his children, Kathy Thomas Grider and husband Danny of Grand Prairie; Linda Thomas Graham and husband Jimmy of Mansfield; John Thomas and wife Michelle of Grand Prairie; and David Thomas and wife Denise of Ft Worth; 13 grandchildren Angel, Erica, Amanda, Casey, Ryan, Justin, Alexandria, Danielle, Andrew, Dana, Danny, Aidan and Brielle; 18 great grandchildren, as well as, many nieces, nephews, in-laws and loved ones.
Funeral procession, service and interment will be Thursday, August 13, 2020.
Funeral procession will leave from Moore Funeral Home, 4216 South Bowen Rd, Arlington, Tx 76016 at 8:45am.
Funeral service and interment will start at 9:30am at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Tx 75211.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in his honor, to the Gary Sinise Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Pallbearers: grandchildren Angel Whitmire, Erica Cook, Amanda Smith, Casey Graham, Ryan Thomas, Justin Thomas, Alexandria Thomas, Danielle Thomas
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