Samuel Roy “Frosty” Thomas, 89, of Center Point, Indiana, passed away at St. Vincent Clay Hospital on June 14, 2021.
Frosty was born on October 10, 1931, in Clay County, Indiana the son of Samuel and Lucille (Cade) Thomas. He graduated from Bowling Green High School with the class of 1950. Following high school he made ice cream at Nance’s Creamery, in Brazil. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. He served as a control tower operator for 4 years, 4 months, and 23 days, then in the reserves for 8 years. At Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, he found that he could have his family with him, so he returned home on leave by hopping military plane rides. He, his wife, and 11-month-old daughter drove 3800 miles over limestone in a 1950 Dodge back to Anchorage, taking them 10 days, and costing $220 for the trip. They lived there almost 2 years and drove the same car back home bringing their 2 ½ year old and another 11-month-old daughter.
As a civilian, Frosty worked at IBM, in Greencastle, for 25 years as a printing press operator and as a parts analyst for 5 years, retiring in 1987 when the plant closed.
He had a wonderful dry sense of humor. He greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his motorcycles from age 15 until age 80. His favorite phrase was, “I’m proud of my family”.
Frosty was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Lucille Thomas; his son Warren Thomas; sister Ellen Hedrick; and a brother Fred Thomas.
Frosty is survived by his wife of 68 years Carolyn Thomas; daughters: Joyce Drake (Tom), Dr. Shirley Thomas (Doug Marshall), Colleen Hubbard (Ted); son Norman Thomas (Susie); grandchildren: Chris Drake, Stacie Feltz, Travis Drake, Killian Adams, James Thomas, Whitney Setar, KJ Thomas, Mike Thomas, Samantha Thomas, Steven Thomas; great-grandchildren: Andrew Drake, Evan Drake, Grace Feltz, Jack Feltz, Shay Drake, and Delilah Drake; and a sister Mary Jo Steiner (Vic); as well as many extended family members and friends.
Visitation will be at Lawson – Miller Chapel, 1702 E. National Ave. Brazil, Indiana 47834, on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 4-8pm. Services will be at the funeral home, on Saturday, at 11:00am with Pastor Brad Hindsley officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Bowling Green.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowling Green United Methodist Church designated to church missions, PO Box 42 Bowling Green, Indiana 47833.