Jarrett "Bud" N. Thomas

Bud was born on July 11, 1935, in Marion, Indiana to Orville and Opal Thomas. The younger of two boys, he grew up alongside his older brother, Durwin. He attended Marion High School where he played football and basketball, as well as met his future wife, Mary Sue Hambene. He went on to attend Indiana University and graduated with a business degree. Upon graduating, Jarrett and Mary wed on July 20, 1957, in Marion, Indiana.

After graduating from Indiana University, Bud had a successful business career. He spent time in the Army where rumor has it, he even met the famous Elvis Presley. In 1993, Bud started his company, Excellence in Motivation, where he worked until retiring. He made an impact on the Dayton community and won Entrepreneur of the Year multiple times. He was an inspiration in the board room, as much as he was to his family.

Bud was a loving husband, father, and Papa. His family was of the utmost importance to him, and he was equally adored by them. He enjoyed spending his time on a boat at the lake, cheering on his beloved Hoosiers, the Buckeyes, and Bengals, taking trips to Sarasota, and spending time with his family. He and Mary built a lake house on Norris Lake where many summers were spent full of grandchildren running around, trips to Springs Dock, and memories to last a lifetime. If you were lucky enough to spend time with him, you would notice his love for his backyard. He was very proud of it, and how beautiful it was and still is. We were blessed to learn many valuable life lessons from Bud in his 91 years, among them: “always read the road signs,” the importance of believing in yourself first, that “you have to leave before you can come back,” and to “never take any wooden nickels.” He was equal parts, ornery, smart, and loving, and he will be remembered by many.

As a man of strong faith, he could frequently be seen front row at church or shaking the priest’s hand on his way out. He instilled in his family the importance of kindness and unwavering generosity to anyone in need. Bud and Mary held St. Jude’s Children Hospital dear to their hearts and made donations in their family's name annually.

He is preceded in death by his parents Orville and Opal Thomas, brother Durwin Thomas, son-in-law Tom Goss, and great grandson Thomas Goss III.

Bud will be missed and remembered by his loving wife of over 69 years, Mary Sue Thomas, who resides in Centerville, Ohio; his five wonderful children: son Mike (Debbie) Thomas of Centerville, Ohio; daughter Mary (Steve) Custenborder of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter Ann Goss of Zionsville, Indiana; daughter Kelli Briggs of Centerville, Ohio; and son Pat (Sheree) Thomas of Northville, Michigan. He had 16 grandchildren who adored their Papa: Kadie (Brian) Stark, Courtney (Kevin) Thobe, Steven (Caitlyn) Custenborder, Taylor (Lauren) Custenborder, Bridgit (Jordan) Rhoades, Thomas (Rachel) Goss, Cole (Victoria) Briggs, Jarrett Briggs, Michael Thomas, Elizabeth (Tyler) Clark, Caroline Thomas, Samantha (Dan) Pressel, Makenna (Ryne) Combs, Ava Thomas, Patrick Thomas, and Jack Thomas. He was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren: Graham Stark, Dawson Stark, Reid Stark, Cole Stark, Mac Thobe, Hank Thobe, Emme Custenborder, Cooper Custenborder, Mary Scott Custenborder, Mary Ann Goss, Griffin Goss, Palmer Briggs, Scotty Combs, and Briggs Pressel.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering, Ohio 45429. A Mass of Christian Burial will also be held at the church at 1:00 PM following visitation, with burial following at David’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association https://alzfdn.org/donate/

Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com