J. Kenneth Thomas

Ken Thomas passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 17, 2024 at age 95 after a brief illness.

Ken was a consummate gentleman. Absolute kindness and caring were his touchstones. He was born in Akron, Ohio in 1929. He spent some of his childhood during the depression at the Thomas family farm in Calvary, Kentucky before moving back to Akron.

After high school he worked at Isaly’s Dairy Company in Akron before being drafted into the army. He bravely served in the 24th Infantry Division in Korea, at the front lines. He rarely spoke of his time at war, for at his core he was a man of peace. Upon returning from the war, he began his 38 year career at The Associates, working his way up the corporate ladder from Akron to Canton, Ohio until transferring to corporate headquarters in South Bend, Indiana in 1970. He finished his career as a vice president in human resources.  He and his wife lived at Holy Cross Village, Andre Place, for the last six years.

Ken could be referred to as a true modern renaissance man. He was always a voracious reader, pursuing knowledge on a wide variety of topics. Although always calm to his core, Ken did not sit idly. He could take on the most complex remodeling project, build a Folbot kayak or the most state of the art (at that time) Heathkit 25 inch color TV, meticulously soldering every electronic component required for each circuit board. He was an NCAA soccer referee, actually working the Indiana versus Notre Dame soccer match when IU was number one in the country – certainly not showing any bias towards his love for Notre Dame. After retirement he took up woodworking, building beautiful furniture.

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a more kind, caring, and compassionate person. He was fiercely loyal to his wife of 70 years, Marie. He loved her without boundaries.
He similarly loved and was so proud of his five children: Ann (Joseph) Iams, Richard (Brenda) Thomas, Ellen (Tony) Herron, Mark (Laura) Thomas, Jason (Jennie) Thomas; his 13 grandchildren, Benjamin (Gabe) Iams, Sean Iams, Matthew (Mallory) Iams, Daniel (Kiersten) Iams, Meredith Thomas, Grace (Kyle) Wood, William Thomas, Jessica (Nick) De Fina, Thomas (Kelli) Herron, Laura (John) Lair, Jack Thomas, Anna Thomas, Gaines Thomas; 10 great grandchildren, Benjamin, Andrew, and Caroline Iams, Tessa and Taylor Iams, Addison and Poppy Wood, Luca De Fina, Gemma Lair, and Anthony Herron.

He now rests in eternal peace at Jesus’s side with those loved ones who have gone before him.

A private family mass and interment will take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery at Notre Dame.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider a donation to Ken’s precious granddaughter Meredith’s Memorial Foundation with the Myositis Association via meredithslegacy.com.