In Memory
Jerry Lee Thomas
Jul. 9, 1949 - Jan. 19, 2014
BRADENTON, FL - Jerry Lee Thomas, 64, of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of South Bend, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 19, 2014. Jerry was born on July 9, 1949, to Forest O. "Jack" Thomas and Irene (Przbysz) Thomas.
He is survived by his former wife, Mary Alice Smallbone; son, Jonathan Thomas, and daughter, Jennifer Smallbone, all from Texas; uncle, Gilbert Thomas, and aunt, Betty Thomas of Logansport, Indiana; brother, Gary (Sharon) Thomas of Berrien Springs, Michigan; sister, Nancy (Michael) Church of Mishawaka, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Jerry was a 1967 graduate of South Bend Washington High School. He continued his education at the former South Bend College of Commerce and Southwestern Michigan College. In his youth, he was a perennial All-Star Little and Major League baseball player at Maurice Matthy's in South Bend and Washington High School where he also ran Track and Field. Jerry retired from South Bend Bendix Energy Fuel Controls and Brake and Steering Division where he was employed as a final inspector of calibrated jet engine fuel controls, foreman and United Automobile Workers representative. His love of sports was always ever-present with his divine loyalty to all Notre Dame athletics, beloved New York Yankees, and automobile racing, both Indy Car and NASCAR. A voracious reader, Jerry followed all current domestic and international politics, was a great admirer of John F. Kennedy, and skeptic of the Warren Commission Report, and always enjoyed lively, liberal debate over the economic causes and effects of greater income inequality in America over the last thirty-four years. Our heartfelt thanks to Antonio, Rex, Pam and all of his friends in Bradenton who extended their companionship and friendship to Jerry all of these many years.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, Indiana, where friends may visit from noon until time of services. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Contributions in memory of Jerry Thomas may be made to Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 26, 2014.
01/12/2022 DEC
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