Everett E. "Pic" Thomas, age 89 of Merrillville, was called to guard duty on the streets of Heaven on July 14, 2014. Like so many of The Greatest Generation, Pic enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduation from Hammond High in 1943. He served in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, Pic enrolled at Indiana University in Bloomington where he received Bachelors and Masters degrees in education. He was a member of the Marching 100 as well as Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity during his time at IU. After graduation, Mr. Thomas served as a fifth grade teacher and principal in Rensselaer for three years where he also played trumpet in the Rensselaer Swing Band. Mr. Thomas then returned to Hammond where he spent over 30 years as a teacher, coach, drivers education instructor, Dean of Students and Athletic Director at George Rogers Clark High School. Coach Thomas was Clark's first soccer coach. He was also a long time referee and umpire with the Lake County Officials Association. He was elected to the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Pic was very active at South Side Christian Church, formerly in Hammond, now in Munster, where he served as a choir director, Sunday School teacher, deacon and elder. He was elected Elder Emeritus. He was very active in the Senior Saints organization. Pic was involved in his community as well. He was a member of American Legion Post 430 and the Whiting-Robertsdale Kiwanis Club. He was named a Hixon Fellow by the Kiwanis in 1999 and also served as their governor. Pic actively volunteered with Special Olympics. He was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox (much to his children's chagrin), and Indiana University. He enjoyed golfing and travel and ice cream. Pic is survived by his wife of 64 years Berna Dean (Bernie) Thomas, daughter Joan (Randy) McKay of Hammond, sons Jack (Vickie) Thomas of Schererville and Kenneth (Cynthia) Thomas of Merrillville, sister Betty Gillespie of Hobart, brother Kenneth "Skip" (Helen) Thomas of Sumner, Illinois and sister-in-law Bonnie Johnson of Schererville. Pic had 7 grandchildren: Dylan Bartley, Megan (Jason) Hope, Rachel Thomas(Steve Dokich, fiancée), Andrew Thomas, Zachary Thomas, Catrina Thomas and Levi Thomas (deceased); Sean and Garrett MyGrants; three great grandchildren, Devin Bartley, Eva Hope and Livia Hope. He was Uncle Pic to numerous nieces and nephews. He touched the lives of countless people. Memorials in Pic's honor may be given to South Side Christian Church, Honor Flight Chicago or Hospice Franciscan St. Anthony of Crown Point. Semper Fi!
Funeral services will be Friday, July 18th, at 11:00 am with Pastors Mike Gilespie and Kenneth “Skip” Thomas officiating at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, July 17th from 3-8 pm. Burial will be in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. To sign online condolences, please visit www.chapellawnfunerals.com
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