Gordon Thomas

Gordon Bennett Thomas, 90, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully at Vitas Hospice and entered eternal life with his Creator on December 31, 2024 after a long journey with dementia. His goal was to achieve the age of 90 which he did on August 9, 2024, and was celebrated by his family and friends at a birthday party at his home.

Gordon was born in Dunkirk, Ohio on August 9, 1934, to Everett E. Thomas and Jane (Loveridge) Thomas, the eldest of seven children. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, youngest sister, Sally Ermish, and his first wife, Nancy (Hagedon) Sevenish. He grew up in Toledo, Ohio, a graduate of Libbey High School, attended the University of Toledo and was in the U.S. Navy Reserve for eight years.

He is survived by his loving wife and caregiver of 38 years, Gretlyn (Zenns) Thomas; children: Deborah Thomas Smyth, Bruce (Susan) Thomas, Charles Thomas and Wendy Mills; grandchildren: Jessica (Larry) Russell, Kate (Alan) Keating, Robert (Ashley) Schoonover , Brian (Lauren) Smyth, Samantha Jo (Kyle) Casserly and eleven great-grandchildren; siblings: Joe (Kathy Brooks) Thomas, Jim (Darlene Hahn) Thomas, Judy (Jim deceased) Lenahan, Jack (Debbie) Thomas, Jane McAtee, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Gordon retired in May 1998 after a distinguished twenty-seven-year career with the International Trade Administration of the U. S. Department of Commerce. During that time, he served as Director of the Cincinnati District office and Regional Director of the largest of the five regions in the country with twelve offices in eight states. He had joined President Richard Nixon's reelection campaign in 1971 and following the election served as a White House liaison with the Commerce Department prior to his appointment in Cincinnati. He returned to Washington in 1983 under President Ronald Reagan where he served for two years as Deputy Assistant Secretary heading the Domestic Operation of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service with responsibility for all fifty-two offices nationwide. While there Gordon met Gretlyn, fell in love, they were married in July of 1986 and made their home in Cincinnati for the remainder of his life. Prior to his government service he was with a major electric utility and had fifteen years' experience in executive positions in the banking industry.

Gordon had an extensive record of community service. He was elected National President of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) in 1970 and moved to the national headquarters city Tulsa, Oklahoma, to lead what was then the third largest service organization in the world with 400,000 members in 8,500 local chapters. He was a Past State President of the Ohio Jaycees and Past President of the Toledo Jaycees. He was honored as "The Outstanding Young Man in Toledo" in 1968 and was included in the 1968 edition of "Outstanding Young Men of America". Business travel and speaking engagements had taken him into forty-eight states and thirty-four countries. He served on numerous boards and commissions including former Governor Voinovich's Export and Trade Council, the Southern Ohio District Export Council, the Cincinnati Chamber's World Trade Association, Past Chairman of the Federal Executive Board of Greater Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati United Appeal.

In retirement, Gordon enjoyed 26 years traveling along with playing golf and cards with his fellow members at Four Bridges Country Club.

A celebration of his life for family and friends will be held later in the spring. If considering a donation in Gordon's memory the family suggests considering either the Alzheimer's Association, 720 E Pete Rose Way, Ste. 330, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (ALZ.org) or Vitas Community Connection, P. O. Box 645352, Cincinnati, OH 45264-5352 (vitascommunityconnection.org.