Robert J. Thomas

“The love of a father is one of life’s greatest masterpieces.”

On September 30, 2013, in the peacefulness of the night, our dearly cherished dad, grandpa and great-grandpa entered into Heaven and was greeted with open arms by his wife, Jackie; parents, Joseph and Louise; brother, Warren; nephew, Tom; and daughter-in-law, Chris. Born in Stow, Ohio on July 3, 1926, he grew up with a love for animals. He even had a cow named Bessie. Today, he was greeted by his pets that waited patiently for him at the Rainbow Bridge. Voted most athletic, and best dressed in his graduating class, he still had a flair for clothes. He proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict.

He loved his home, and took pride when people would randomly drive by and compliment him on his flowers and Christmas decorations. Tommy loved watching the Walsh Warrior football team, and we think he secretly thought he was their coach. Tommy was a lifetime member of the Stow and Mogadore Christian Churches where he served as a Deacon and happily served coffee during swiss steak dinners. He retired from the Kent Latex Corporation where he was a supervisor for many years. The memories we have in our hearts will carry us until the day we meet again. Our dad was perfect in every way. He played cops and robbers with us in the basement, waited patiently for us at swimming lessons, endured sporting events, majorette parades, took us on vacations, made Friday night root beer floats, countless Tarzan swings and tree houses.

He is survived by son, Andy; daughters and sons-in-law, Roberta and Greg Petrasek, Jill and Jack DeWitt; his grandchildren of whom he was so proud, John (Tricia) DeWitt, Dan DeWitt, Chloe DeWitt, Bianchi (Andrew) Victory, Candace (Ryan) Gilpin and Brynne Thomas; his great-grandchildren that brought him such joy, Lillian and Annabelle DeWitt and William and Georgia Victory. He is also remembered by special friend Joyce Anthony.

The family will receive friends at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Avenue (Route 532), MOGADORE, Ohio 44260, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Private graveside services and burial with military honors will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations to the Humane Society of Greater Akron, 7996 Darrow Rd. Twinsburg, OH 44087; or The Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Northeast Ohio, 4700 Rockside Rd., Suite 425, Independence, OH 44131. What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply become a part of us. We love you forever, Dad. Andy, Roberta and Jill And watch out for the apricot pie!