Rusty "Russ" Thomas

Rusty “Russ” Allan Thomas passed away peacefully on July 22, 2022 at the Cleveland Clinic with his beloved wife, mother and brother by his side. He endured much throughout his illness and was strengthened by the love and support of his wife Christie, family and friends.

Russ was born March 21, 1967 in Coshocton, Ohio to Vicki and John Thomas. He graduated from Gahanna-Lincoln High School in 1986 and was a United States Air Force Veteran, having served in Panama as a loadmaster. He earned an associate degree from CSCC and attended OSU where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity.

His passion for helping others inspired him to enroll in the State Fire Academy at the age of 36. Russ was also trained as an EMT, paramedic and arson investigator. He was a volunteer in the Columbus Division of Fire Auxiliary as a Lieutenant and worked as an EMT for an ambulance company until an aneurysm required him to take medical retirement. Russ also volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corps, served on the Central Ohio Fire Museum Board and a life member of the VFW.

Russ was an avid fisherman, a very passionate fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, trying to never miss watching a game, and truly treasured time with family. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his best friend and devoted wife of 26 years, Christina “Christie” (Huffer) Thomas; his mother Vicki (Peck) Breece; brother Ryan Albertson (fiancé Courtney); mother and father-in-law, Joanna and Jim Huffer and his beloved fur-baby Levi.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 2-5pm (prayer service at 4:30pm) Sunday, July 31, 2022 at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230. All are invited and encouraged to attend the Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at the Reynoldsburg VFW, 1420 S. Waggoner Rd., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068; 2-3pm gathering time, 3pm ceremony, followed by continued visiting until 6pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation (Lt. Dan-Forrest Gump), an organization that honors our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation’s defenders, we can always do a little more. Link: https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate