Dean Allen Thomas

Dean Allen Thomas, age 85, of 68734 Tyson Mill Road, Quaker City, Ohio died Tuesday, June 2, 2026 in his home surrounded by his daughters.

He was born March 31, 1941 at his home place on Tyson Mill Road, Quaker City. He was a son of the late James Edward Thomas and Martha Virginia Lyons Thomas.

He was a 1959 graduate of Madison High School and during his high school days he was awarded the FFA State Farmer Award.

Dean married his sweetheart since seventh grade and wife of sixty-five years, Ruth Marie Thomas on August 1, 1959 in Freeport at the Methodist Parsonage officiated by Reverend Tulga. She preceded him in death on May 3, 2025.

Dean was a devoted father, papaw, and great-papaw to his own plus all the other neighbor kids. He was a member of the Antrim United Methodist Church. He was also an honorary lifetime member of the Antrim Volunteer Fire Department where he was involved for sixty-four years and served as squad captain for several years. He was a lifetime farmer and drove school bus for forty-nine years for Madison and East Guernsey Local School district.

Surviving are four daughters: Deb Thomas, Karen Thomas, Sharon (Vaughn) Secrest, and Barb Hardesty; two grandsons: Tyler (Kaity) Hardesty and Trevor (Paige) Hardesty; a granddaughter, Jamie Secrest; ten great-grandchildren: Slade, Dash, Kolbie, Knellie, Koen, Knox, Kora, Brayden, Bentley and Jack; a son-in-law, Dennis Hardesty; and special friends: Cassie Deis, Johnny Duffy, Brad Cramblett, Michael McElwain, and Tom Cooper; three sisters: Linda Nicholson, Carole Sue (Eugene) Tuttle, and Shirley (Bob) Ford; one brother: Dennis Thomas; and many friends and neighbors.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law: William Repik and Gary Nicholson; and two sisters-in-law, Carol Thomas and Shirley Repik

Visitation will be held in Antrim United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 4 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Friday, June 5 at 11:00 a.m. also in the church with Devanie Roe and Sandra Cappel officiating. Burial will follow in Antrim Community Cemetery.

Arrangements by Koch Funeral Home.