Don Thomas

Thomas, Don J., 82, of Springfield, died Tuesday, February 12, 2013 in his residence surrounded by his family. He was born July 31, 1930 in Springfield, OH to Wilbur and Mildred (Border) Thomas. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1949 as class president and received the prestigious award "All Ohio guard and linebacker" in football in the same year. He received 17 full scholarship offers to play football at assorted colleges around the country. He decided to attend University of Cincinnati. And then he joined the Air Force where he served in the Korean War as a radar operator. Don was then employed as a Unit Superintendent for Ohio Edison/Penn Power for 38 years, retiring in 1991. Don was inducted into the Springfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Isabelle (Grau); three children, Mark Thomas of Virginia, Karen Ground, and Dr. Gary A. Thomas of Springfield; four grandchildren, Christopher (Audrey) Thomas, Derek Thomas, Cameron Thomas and Lindsay Ground; and a brother Roger (Dorothy) Thomas of Hamilton, OH. Family will receive friends from 4-6 on Friday in the CONROY FUNERAL HOME. Inurnment of ashes will be in Vale Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity.