On April 6, 2017 Robert William Thomas, Jr., 92, of Fremont, OH walked up the stairs of Heaven into the arms of his high school sweetheart Margaret, his wife of sixty-six years who preceded him in death. Also, waiting for him were his parents, Marie and Robert Senior.
Robert was born on August 5, 1924 in Augusta Georgia where his father was playing semi-professional baseball. He moved to Fremont soon thereafter and lived there the rest of his life. He graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1942 where he was a member of two State Championship swim teams.
Robert entered the U.S. Navy in March 1943. He attended Navy Radio School in Oxford, OH for six months. In November, he boarded the USS Card, CVE Number 11. He served for nineteen months on the Card in WWII in the North Atlantic. The Card was the first CVE to get the Presidential Unit Citation in WWII for anti-submarine work as part of a hunter-killer group. He received two Bronze Stars for his participation in the European African Middle Eastern Campaign. He also received the American Area Campaign Ribbon and WWII Victory Medal. After the war, he was employed at the U.S. Post Office, working there for thirty-eight years until his retirement in 1984.
Robert was the Scout Master of Scout Troop 334 and served as a Little League and Pony League coach for fourteen years, winning a City Championship in each league. An avid train collector, he was a member of the Train Collector’s Association. He and his wife attended St. Mark Lutheran Church. They delivered mobile meals for Memorial Hospital for twelve years.
Robert is survived by his children, Timothy Lee (Christine) Thomas of Leavenworth, KS, Terri Lynne Fielding of Fremont, OH and Dr. James Louis (Susan) Thomas of Opelika, AL. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Visitation: Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory,
425 East State St, Fremont, OH.
Service: Monday, April 10, 2017, 10:30 am at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 902 East State St, Fremont, with one hour of visitation at the church prior to the service. Pastor Scott Mauch will officiate.
Burial: Oakwood Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the American Legion and VFW.
Memorials can be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church or Hospice of ProMedica Memorial Hospital.
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Ami Rathfelder
Mrs Fielding & family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your family.
Ami Rathfelder, Kody Hausman, James Rathfelder, & Aaron Rathfelder
Edward Schultz
With Deepest Sympathy to the Thomas Family
In your time of sorrow may it ease your pain to know that others are thinking of you.
Associated Buyers Employees and Their Famlies
Edward, Sandra and Donald L. Schultz
Re (Bonnell) Chamberlin
Terri and family,
So very sorry for your loss. I will always remember so fondly the times when we were small and our parents would gather to play cards. They we wonderful people.
God bless.
Lane & Clare Beeker
Jim and Susan so sorry to hear of your Fathers passing, what a celebration must have taken place in Heaven when your Mother and Father became one again. Thinking of you with many thoughts and prayers…Blessings to All
Lynn Hill
Our hearts and prayers are with all the Thomas’ during this very sad time. Uncle Bob was an incredible man – always smiling – always kind. We loved him and Aunt Margaret very much – they will be remembered with great joy!
Scott, Lynn, Katie, and Meg Hill
Nan Peddicord Purvis
Tim, Terri, and Jim, So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I have many good memories of the Thomas family from my years growing up in Fremont. We are thinking of you at this sad time.