D. Keith Thomas

D. Keith Thomas, 74, died Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at Cabell Huntington Hospital. He was born August 18, 1932 in Gallipolis, son of the late Thomas A. and Mildred Thomas. He married the former Phyllis Waters on September 5, 1954 in LeRoy, Ohio and she survives him. Keith was a 1950 GAHS graduate where he was awarded the Music Key. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a business degree. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Keith served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, having obtained the rank of Captain. Keith was President of Thomas Clothiers Corporation. This included Thomas Clothiers and The Hub in Gallipolis, Carter’s Menswear of Point Pleasant, WV and New York Clothing House in Pomeroy. While at Thomas Clothiers, he instituted the Golden Helmet Award and sponsored several autograph sessions with the Cincinnati Reds “Big Red Machine”. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, having served in various offices, but his true love was the church choir. Keith was a past member of Gallipolis Lions Club and Gallipolis City Merchants, having served as President in both, and the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce, having served as director. He was also a member of the French City Treblemakers, a barbershop chorus and the American Legion Post #27. Surviving are his wife, Phyllis Thomas of Gallipolis; a son, Stephen Keith Thomas of Gallipolis; a daughter, Kari Thomas Saunders and her husband, Eric of Gallipolis; six grandsons, Thomas Eric Saunders, Justin Keith Saunders, William Clint Saunders, Benjamin Harold Saunders, David Andrew Saunders, Nathaniel Stephen Keith Thomas, all of Gallipolis and a granddaughter, Bethany Rebekah Elaine Thomas of Logan; a sister, Greta Thomas Caldwell and her husband, Richard of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David Mark Thomas in 2002. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2007 at the Grace United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Stockton officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the Willis Funeral Home on Thursday, January 4, 2007 from 6-8 p.m. His six grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Full military honors will be provided by volunteers of area veteran’s lodges. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Keith’s memory to Grace United Methodist Church. Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2007-01-05 Mound Hill Cemetery Gallipolis OH US Visitation: 2007-01-04 18:00:00-20:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Service: 2007-01-05 11:00:00 Grace United Methodist Church Gallipolis OH US