Vernon G. Thomas, age 92, of Lower Salem, Ohio, died Saturday, May 11, 2024, at his home. He was born December 26, 1931, in Lower Salem, son of the late Oscar and Hilma M. Theiss Thomas. Vernon was a 1949 graduate of Salem-Liberty High School in Lower Salem. He was a United States Navy veteran, having served from 1951-1955, and a Seabee during the Korean War. He retired as a chemical operator from Amoco and was a member of the Amoco Old Timers Gathering. He was a member of the Masterton Chapter #429, F&AM since 1976, where he served as Past Master, was a member of the Woodsfield Chapter #268, OES, and he served as past Worthy Patron for former Eastern Star chapters. He was a former Master of the Elk and Sharon Granges for over 50 years and a member of the Little Muskingum Grange; and he was a member of the Noble County Farm Bureau and former member of the Noble County Planning Commission. Vernon attended the Warner Community Church and was a member of the former Zion United Church of Christ.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his twin brother, Vaughn Thomas.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley A. Burkhart Thomas, whom he married June 9, 1956; his children, Ruth Ellen (Billy) Stoneking of Pleasant City, James A. Thomas of Lower Salem, Carol A. (Steve) Perry of Woodsfield, and Roger N. (Nancy) Thomas of Jerusalem; 9 grandchildren, Zack and Josh Stoneking, Hunter Thomas, Shea and Cammie Groves, Michael and Robert Thomas, Justin Perry, and Stephanie Miller; several great-grandchildren; his siblings, Mary Louise Skoglund, Dorothy I. Hesson, and John L. Thomas, all of Marietta; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends may call Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 3-7PM at McVay-Perkins Funeral Home, 416 East Street, Caldwell, where an Eastern Star service will be observed at 7PM followed by a Masonic service at 7:30PM. The funeral service will be observed Wednesday, May 15th at 11AM with Willie Hood and Ken Perkins officiating. A veteran’s graveside service will follow at Zion Cemetery conducted by the Noble County Veteran Service Organizations. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Twp. Volunteer Fire Department, 32219 County Rd. 59, Lower Salem, Ohio, 45745, the Salem Twp. Volunteer Fire Department, 39 Mills Firehouse Lane, Lower Salem, Ohio, 45745, or the Graysville Community Volunteer Fire Department, 38851 State Rt. 26, Graysville, Ohio, 45734. The family would like to thank the hospice team, especially Kim Weckbacher, for all their wonderful care.
