Harold Colean Thomas

Harold Colean Thomas, 91, of Evansville, passed away quietly Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Terrace at Solarbron Nursing Home. He was born January 12, 1926 in Springerton, IL; the sixth of seven children, to the late Hayward Abner Thomas and Eulah (Tucker) Thomas. Shortly afterward his family moved to Carmi, IL where he lived and attended school until joining the US Navy in January 1944 in which he served as a seaman and then yeoman on an LST in the North Atlantic during WW II. When the war ended he moved to Evansville, IN where he attended the Evansville College (University of Evansville) on the GI bill. It was there that he met and married his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Annabelle (Smythe) Thomas who preceded him in death August 28, 2016. As a member of the Navy Reserve he was called back into service during the Korean Conflict the duration of which he served at Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago, IL. When the Conflict ended he returned to his wife and family in Evansville and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Business at U of E. Upon graduation he joined Whirlpool Corporation where he worked in various managerial positions until retiring in 1988.

Harold was a loving husband and father, and devout Christian. His family and his service to the Lord were the untiring focus of his life. He was a life-long member of Oak Hill Bible Fellowship (formerly Oak Hill Presbyterian Church) where he served as a deacon and elder, and where he and his wife Annabelle were active Youth Fellowship leaders, Sunday school teachers, and Bible Study and Prayer Group participants. Harold was also an active member of The Gideons International for many years, often representing the organization at regional churches. Through his strong faith and witness, he touched the lives of countless people. When blessed with free time he chose to spend it, preferably outdoors, with his sons and later his grandchildren. He loved to fish and to commune with nature where he often collected and replanted seeds and nuts from his favorite trees.

Harold is survived by his sons, Stephen H. Thomas and wife, Sally (Wertman) Thomas, of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Mark E. Thomas and wife, Sandra (Rohovetz) Thomas, of Owensville, Indiana, and their four children and four grandchildren. His grandchildren include John Edward Thomas of Evansville, Indiana, Betsy Ann (Thomas) Tenbarge and husband, Gavin Tenbarge, of Owensville, Indiana, Amy Jean (Thomas) Koester and husband, Brandon Koester, of Princeton, Indiana, and Sarah Marie Thomas of Evansville, Indiana. His great-grandchildren are Stella Elizabeth and Mya Grace Tenbarge and Amelia Jean and Annabelle Mae Koester. Harold was preceded in death by his siblings, Henry A. Thomas, Lucille (Thomas) Morgan, Arthur Valentine Thomas, Helen (Thomas) Metcalf, Charles Wendell Thomas, and Bernadine Thomas.

Harold’s family thanks the many staff at The Terrace at Solarbron for their care and friendship during his time at the facility.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Alexander East Chapel, with private entombment in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International at https://www2.gideons.org/donate#.

Friends unable to attend the visitation or service may send condolences to the family at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.