John Thomas

John “Joy” Thomas, age 83, husband of Alice “Annie” Thomas, died peacefully at home in Livonia, MI, USA on October 28, 2022, surrounded by family and friends. He was born November 13, 1938, to Thomas and Saramma Thomas in Melathoppil House, Uthimoodu, Kerala, India. He was the seventh child with two brothers and five sisters.

After high school, John went to Kollam Fatima College in Kerala for one year. He graduated with a Bible Major from Hindustan Bible Institute in Madras, India in 1962 and with a Theology degree from Union Biblical Seminary in Yeotmal, Maharashtra, India in 1963. He spent four years in North India with a Bible society serving as a faithful witness to Jesus in cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Bihar and Ludhiana.

On January 21, 1967, John came to the United States as a student with the maximum $6.25 allowed. He studied theology initially in Kentucky and then in Cedarville, OH (where three of his grandchildren have attended college). He completed his Master of Religious Education at Golden Gate Baptist Seminary in San Francisco, CA. On June 6, 1970, John married Annie in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and the following summer they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. No matter where they lived, they sponsored and hosted numerous family and friends in their homes. In countless ways, they both were trailblazers. Many others followed in their footsteps to North America.

Throughout his life, John was very involved in local churches and in an ecumenical Indian prayer fellowship, often being the primary Bible teacher at family gatherings. He was also a resourceful worker, doing whatever it took to provide for his family. His first job was in a furniture store in Hamilton, then at the Detroit Metropolitan airport with Butler Aviation followed by the Metro Cab company. He made a full circle back to ministry, being certified as a chaplain in 1994. He worked as a hospital chaplain until he retired.

John was a humble patriarch, full of kindness and with no guile. He was known by many names of great affection: Joychayan, Joy Appacha, Joy Uncle, Soochi Appacha, Dudley-Joy, Annie-Joy, Appacha, and Pappa. He was also known as a practical “Jack-of-all-trades,” invited frequently to do auto maintenance, plumbing, painting, repairs, and many other household tasks. He was famous for working the phones, checking in on family and friends, especially in times of crises or illness. He loved food, especially samosas and cheesecake. However, nothing was ever spicy enough; hot sauce and Indian pickles provided the necessary heat and flavor…even Tabasco on ice cream.

He is preceded in death by his siblings Rachel (Thomas), Abraham (Saramma), Mary (Mathew), and Thankamma. He is survived by his wife Annie, his three sons Jason (Andrea), Jesse (Rachel), and Jeffrey (Sheeja), his sisters Sosamma and Annamma (Abraham), brother Thomas (Mariamma), and ten grandchildren: RaeAnna (Ethan), Alayna, Gabriel, Priya, Joshua, Jonathan, Josiah, Serenah, Elizabeth, and Sophia.

Nehemiah 8:10 captures so well what characterizes the life and spirit of John “Joy” Thomas: “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.”

A visitation for John will be held Friday, November 4, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Harry J Will Funeral Homes, 37000 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. A funeral service will occur Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Clarenceville United Methodist Church, 20300 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia, MI 48152, following an in state period beginning at 9:45 AM. To join the livestream service please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yy6hQhWoN8

In lieu of sending flowers, please send charitable donations to support John Thomas’ lifelong commitment to sharing the gospel in India.

For church planting efforts in India, checks can be written to "India Christian Assembly" and brought to funeral home or can be mailed to India Christian Assembly Ministries, 33762 Curtis Road, Livonia. MI 48152. 100% will go to North India. See this website for more info: https://icalivonia.com/ministries/

For campus ministry in India, give through the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Go to give.ifesworld.org and select South Asia to make an online donation.