Raymond "Papa" Thomas

Raymond K. "Papa" Thomas, age 76, of New Lebanon, OH, passed peacefully into eternity on Saturday evening, December 25, 2010 following a lengthy illness. Born September 3, 1934 in Cleveland, OH, he was a son of the late Clarence & Mildred (Green) Thomas. He retired after 20 + years with the US Postal Service as a mail carrier in West Carrollton and Dayton. He was a member of the Brethren Church of New Lebanon; loved to go to garage sales, watch sports on television and could fix about anything that needed it. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by son Douglas R. Thomas on September 19. 2007: grandson Jeremy Lee Thomas on September 15, 2009: brothers Darrell Green and David Friley: and sister Juanita Williams. Ray was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. Survived by wife Shirley K. (Hoy) Thomas whom he married August 10, 1957: son Steven Thomas & wife Robin of California: daughter Renee Pitsinger of Beavercreek, OH: grandchildren Amber Apple & husband Casey of Beavercreek; Kailey Welch attending Miami University in Oxford, OH; Nichole Burns & husband Mike of New Lebanon; Amanda McCallister & husband John of New Lebanon; Stephanie Thomas of California; Selena Grubb of New Lebanon and Keith Thomas of New Lebanon: great grandchildren Kaden Wenger, Michael, Nathan, Jaden and Alyssa Burns, and Caleb Lightcap: daughter-in-law Kim Thomas of New Lebanon: sisters Bettie Shock & husband Larry of Dayton; Joan Meeker of Wyoming, IL; Theresa Bockrath of Dayton: and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Friday, December 31, 2010 at the Brethren Church of New Lebanon - 32 S. Church St. - New Lebanon, OH. Charles Wiltrout will officiate. Friends may call on the family at the Church one hour prior to the service. Interment of the cremated remains in Sugar Grove Cemetery will follow the service. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Church's Scholarship Fund or to Hospice of Dayton. Arrangements entrusted to Robert L. Crooks Funeral Center, West Alexandria. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Raymond "Papa" Thomas please visit our Sympathy Store.