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Everett Thomas Obituary

EVERETT E. "PIC" THOMAS MERRILLVILLE, IN 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, IL; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Johnson of Schererville. Pic had seven 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 a.m. with Pastors Mike Gilespie and Kenneth "Skip" Thomas officiating at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, July 17th from 3:00-8:00 p.m. Burial will be in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. To sign online condolences, please visit www.chapellawnfunerals.com

Published by The Times from Jul. 16 to Jul. 17, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
for Everett Thomas

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Jack my condolences on the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Carrie Crawford (Connor Shaw Center)

July 28, 2014

So sorry for your loss. I have many good memories growing up next door to your family on Woodlawn.

Patti Grabinski-Hock

July 26, 2014

As emcee of the HTF Retirement Dinners, I had the pleasure of honoring Everett for his years of dedication and outstanding service to the Hammond Public Schools. Meeting him in person for the first time at the dinner was very impressive to me. He was truly a gentleman to be admired...and the type of person one instantly feels glad to have met. He taught with my brother, Bob Serafin; and I like to think that they are both reunited on high reflecting upon their days at Clark and watching their beloved IU and Sox games.
My sympathy to you,Berna Dean, & Family

Lorraine Kobe

July 24, 2014

Condolences to the Thomas family. Dianne Florey

July 21, 2014

Jack sorry for your loss.Your dad was good man. As a coach and teacher he was admired by all.

Jerry and bonnie Blastick

July 21, 2014

REST IN PEACE COACH, YOU WERE A ROLE MODEL TO ME.

Michael Irvine

July 19, 2014

Jack, Vickie and family. We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Mike & Ginny

Seljan

July 19, 2014

My deepest condolences to Mr. Thomas' family. I was a student at Clark and will always remember Mr. Thomas' smile - even more than 3 decades later!

Lisa Nednien

July 18, 2014

Ken & Family, Just wanted to express our Love and Sympathy in the loss of your Dad. We remember him, having been around him on several occasions; and We Liked Him Very Much! Will keep you and All the Family in Our Prayers! With Love and God's Blessings, Charles & Katie

July 18, 2014

Think of him fondly- was a great teacher and coach. I graduated from Clark in '75

Melissa Moynihan- Spanburg

July 18, 2014

Sincere sympathies to Bernie and family. Both Cliff and I had Mr. Thomas as our 5th grade teacher, and we learned the Marine's Hymn well! He was a good friend to our dad, Hubert, through their Kiwanis and GRC connections. He was a man of great character and a positive influence on many young lives.

Beverly Liehe Kussy

July 18, 2014

Mr Thomas was my summer school driving instructor at GRC. He was such a gentle sweet man with so much patience, teaching 3 girls in a car how to drive. One almost drove us into Wolf Lake, he didn't yell but the rest of us were screaming with fear. He was such a great influence on many of his students. Thank you Mr. Thomas for the wonderful memories, may you rest in peace. Linda (Gumkowski) Strezo GRC Class of 1968

July 18, 2014

As one of Everett's former elementary students who still knows all three verses of "The Marines' Hymn" and a former teacher myself ( I also taught drivers' ed. the Summer of 1967 with Everett before moving on to the Gary Schools that Fall) I want his family to know that he was one of the most positive influences in my life. I know those streets are well guarded by another United States Marine. Semper Fi, Mr. Thomas, Semper Fi. And, thanks for teaching me well.

Ray Rusnak

July 18, 2014

Dear Bernie and family,

So sorry to hear of Pic's passing. He was always so good to our mom and us girls over the years and we always enjoyed our time spent with him. We are keeping you all in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time. Hoping you can find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of Pic.

Love, Pat & Maureen McGhee
Tucson, AZ

July 18, 2014

Mr. Thomas was my favorite teacher at GRC and I thought of him often. I pray for his eternal life with our dear Lord. Blessing during this most difficult time to the entire family. He was a great man!

July 17, 2014

May God bless each and every one of you in your time of sorrow. Your father had such an amazing life to celebrate!

Prayers for comfort.

Michelle Matthias (Connor Shaw Center)

July 17, 2014

Dear Bernie & Family,
My deepest condolences on Pic's passing. As you may recall, Pic and my father, Hal Chase, were born on the same day. Their mothers shared the same hospital room. I understand that I was given my middle name, "Thomas," in recognition of that event and the friendship they shared over the years at Hammond High and Indiana University. My dad passed away in 2005 and I know what a tremendous loss your family is experiencing. We were so fortunate to have known such men and had them in our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Kim Chase

July 17, 2014

To: Ken & the entire Thomas family,

I pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with you at such a time as this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rebecca Harris

July 17, 2014

Jack
My deepest condolences on the passing of your father. You & your family will be in my thoughts & prayers.

Donna Mendenhall

July 17, 2014

Dear Bernie and Family - So sorry to hear about Pic. He and your family were some of the best neighbors we've ever had. I've contacted my dad in California to let him know of Pic's passing. Keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers.

Sue Grabinski-Bundy

July 17, 2014

Jack,
So sorry about your dad's passing. He was an extraordinary man. Now I know why you are that way too. God bless you
all. Lu Vela

Lu Vela

July 17, 2014

Our deepest sympathy to your family on this loss of such a great guy. He always had something funny to say and a kind word! Our prayers are with you.

Larry and Kim Parks

Larry Parks

July 16, 2014

My condolences to the entire Thomas family, especially Jack, my high school baseball coach at Gavit High School and Vickie, my teaching colleague for many years at Eggers Middle School. God Bless your entire family.

Ricky Fantin

July 16, 2014

Dear Bernie,

I'm so saddened to hear of Pic's passing and so sorry for your great loss. I truly enjoyed my visit with you both back in 2009. You and Pic (and Joan) were all so much fun!

Sympathies and best wishes to the entire family.

Laura Mikuta

July 16, 2014

Bernie and family our condolences to you. Pic was a great guy an inspiration to this church member. Southside truly lost a kind man and leader.

lynne cowan

July 16, 2014

What a great guy! I would like to believe that the good and wonderful people like Pic Thomas should live forever. They bring so much joy and laughter into our lives and contribute so much of their goodness to our world.

I knew Pic as a neighbor (Riverside Park area of Hammond), as a customer (I was his Hammond Times paperboy for five years), as a mentor, friend and coach. He was a friend of my parents, too, and my older sister used to babysit their kids, all wonderful and cherished memories.

So you are going to be greatly missed, Pic Thomas! Knowing that you are gone, the sun just doesn't shine as brightly as it once did. Thank you for being so much of my youthful environment.

Richard Barnes, Ph.D.
....and the family of Chalma & Eileen Barnes, neighbors and friends

Richard Barnes, Ph.D.

July 16, 2014

What a great guy! I would like to think that people like Pic will live forever! They have such a fun, radiant presence that enlightens the lives of others. Pic was one of them! I knew him as a neighbor, as a customer (he was on my paper route), as a friend and a respected citizen. His contribution to education, to coaching, to mentoring, all leave behind a trail of greatness! Thanks, Pic, for all you have shared with me and my family throughout the years. You were a great neighbor and a good friend.

Richard Barnes, Ph.D.
...and the family of Chalma & Eileen Barnes

Richard Barnes, Ph.D.

July 16, 2014

Bernie, Joan, Jack and Ken, what I remember is when we all lived by Riverside Park in Hammond in the late 50's-60's. I went to church with you a few times and you had this gigantic Pontiac. We would play in the driveway and hide under your front porch. My mom always told me how much you laughed when all the friends got together. Pic was a very nice man. Say hi to my mom and dad. Our prayers to all of you. Bill(y) and Mary Born

Bill Born

July 16, 2014

Jack,
I want you you to know that I am praying for you and your family with your father's passing. God bless you all.

Jim Walls

July 16, 2014

The Phillips family will never forget you, Pic! Love to the whole Thomas clan from our family.

Joy Phillips

July 16, 2014

Jack, I remember your father well and his great smile. Thanks for sharing the family photos. God bless you and your family. Will Walls

Will Walls

July 15, 2014

Praying for peace for the whole family as you go through this time. But we also celebrate with you for his passing to his eternal home. Steve & Carol Herron

July 15, 2014

Jack--You and your family are in our prayers during this difficult time. May God give you peace as you remember your father and the life he lived for the Lord.

Jenny (Cass) McMillin

July 15, 2014

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Nicole Ludwig

July 15, 2014

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