John D. Thomas Sr.

John D. Thomas Sr., 52, of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 14, 2025, surrounded by family. Born March 24, 1973, in Scranton, John was the son of Darwin Thomas (Ann) and Grace Lines (Ray), both of Clarks Summit. He was a proud graduate of Lackawanna Trail High School, Class of 1991, and built a career as a skilled carpenter, known for his craftsmanship and artistry.

On January 5, 2008, John married Ellen Strom in Tunkhannock, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter and adventure.

John had a gift for connection. He spent countless hours on the phone with friends and family, often joking afterward that “nothing interesting” was discussed. But those conversations were everything to him. He had weekly calls with his sister Jen to talk about their beloved Minnesota Vikings. He and his sister Susan bonded over Trail football and swapped recipes, celebrating each other’s culinary masterpieces.

John was a passionate sports fan with loyalties that spanned the continent:

Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays - he once stayed in the stadium hotel and never left the window, captivated by the nonstop activities.Basketball: LA LakersHockey: Detroit Red Wings - he loved the train trip to Detroit with Ellen.Football: Minnesota Vikings - he treasured the trips to Jacksonville to see them play.College Football: University of TennesseeHigh School Football: Lackawanna Trail Lions - he never missed a game, thanks to the app that let him view from his home in Wilmington, DE and then in Harrisburg.
John was also an avid bowler and golfer. He was proud to serve as president of the Monday Mixers bowling league at First State Lanes in Wilmington, DE. On the golf course, he celebrated a hole-in-one on hole #4 at Lakeland Golf Course in 1996 and held a course record of 26 in the Gin’s Tavern Golf League.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Strom; his son, John D. Thomas Jr., with former spouse Tammy Thomas Sevensky; his parents, Darwin Thomas and Grace Lines (Ray); sisters Susan Thomas Chrzan (Tony) and Jen Thomas (Jenny); sister-in-law Sharon Dolechek (AJ); uncles Paul, Corey (Jeanne), and Dale Thomas; nieces Nikki Dolechek Glowatch (Eric) and Paige Bosma; and nephew Kyle Dolechek.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Anthony P. Litwin Jr. Funeral Homes, Inc., 33 Reynolds St., Factoryville, with Father Michael Quinnan officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

John will be remembered for his humor, his love of music, and his artistic ability. His legacy lives on in the stories we share, the games we watch, and the meals we cook with love.