Kenneth R Thomas

He served in the National Guard for six years in the 1970s and then graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1982. Ken worked as a microbiologist for the Ohio Department of Health until his retirement in 2011.

He was a lifelong football fan of the Browns and the Buckeyes. Ken also played football at Pleasant High School and was a coach at Heritage Middle School. The difference he made in the lives of his players while coaching was one of his proudest accomplishments.

Ken was 37 years sober at the time of his passing, and he worked tirelessly to support the “newcomers” just beginning their sobriety journeys. His favorite hobbies were playing guitar, fishing, and playing chess.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Charlotte Thomas, his brother Danny Thomas, his parents-in-law Howard and Melba Huddlestun, and his brothers-in-law Lee Cooper and Johnny Huddlestun.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years Sue, his three children Sarah (Brett) Thomas McGlone, David (Erica) Thomas and Michael Thomas, his grandson (and favorite chess partner) Lincoln Thomas McGlone, his brother Stephen (Christine) Thomas, his sister Diane (Buzz) Diamond, and siblings-in-law Jane Cooper and Gary Huddlestun.

The family will receive friends Sunday, March 23 from 12:00-2:00 PM with a funeral service beginning at 2 PM at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank or Kobacker House Hospice.