Thomas Albert Charron

Thomas was born on November 6, 1951, in Rogers City MI, to Rita J. Charron (Creguar) and Kermit A. Charron, both of whom preceded him in their passing. Thomas was raised in Royal Oak and eventually moved to Rochester and Rochester Hills.

Thomas was an angel, born with Developmental Disabilities. His disabilities prevented him from being able to talk, but he could communicate in his own ways. His spirit was filled with kindness and with love at a level that is beyond what most people experience throughout their lives. Thomas taught his family, and those who helped care for him the value of empathy for those who are less fortunate. He never expressed hostility in his life. He enjoyed the most basic experiences such as walking in the park, sharing the company of others, and eating a good meal whether it was a McDonald’s hamburger or a home-cooked chicken dinner. Each experience brought him pleasure, and watching such moments of joy remind us of the benefits of such simplicity in our lives.

Like many people with Developmental Disabilities, Thomas spent his childhood and early teen years in a state hospital. Thomas resided at Lapeer State Hospital, aka, Oakdale Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities. During the 1960’s the movement towards deinstitutionalization of State Hospital along with Thomas’s caring soul highly influenced our mother, Rita Charron. She fought for Thomas, and for others with developmental disabilities to advocate through law changes, through ARC, and in her work, for the termination of state hospitals in Michigan. This resulted in the opportunity for Thomas to move back into the community and in a group home, where he proceeded to live a fulfilling semi-independent life.

Since his time at Oakdale, Thomas was supported by both Easterseals MORC-(Macomb Oakland Regional Center) of Michigan and by Hope Network. Both organizations greatly enhanced his lifestyle, allowing Thomas to live and work in the Rochester Hills community throughout his adult life, despite his disabilities.

In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by his older sister, Christina Lee Riddle (Charron) and David Phillip Charron. Thomas is survived by his younger sisters, Jo Lynn Alex of Canadian Lakes MI, and Patty Polhemus of Kernersville NC.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to:

• Easterseals MORC, 2399 E. Walton Blvd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326, (248) 475-6409 https://morc.easterseals.com

• Hope Network, 3075 Orchard Vista Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, 616.301.8000 https://hopenetwork.org