Ray T Thomas

Ray Theodore Thomas passed away on February 21, 2022 of cancer complications.  He was 94 years old. 

Ray led a life of adventure. Born in Hillman, MI to Mary Ellen Bouchey and Ray E. Thomas, he was raised on the family farm. Determined to be a pilot from an early age, he joined the Army Air Corps just after WWII. While stationed in Denver, CO, Ray became a licensed airplane mechanic and developed a lifelong passion for downhill skiing. Afterwards he used the GI Bill to attend Purdue University and supplemented his education as a flight instructor.  He was hired as a pilot for Lake Central Airlines, which became Allegheny and ultimately USAirways. During his time with Allegheny on a routine flight from Pittsburg to Boston in 1970, the plane he was co-piloting was hijacked. A negotiation allowed all passengers to be released in Philadelphia before the plane continued to Cuba. The event concluded peacefully with no one being injured.

Ray was the proud father of 3 children with his first wife and enjoyed many summers at his lake home on Lake Avalon in Hillman, MI.  For the last 25 years Ray and his wife Donna lived in Titusville, FL where they enjoyed the local flying community and the Lutheran church.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Thomas; son, Baylen Thomas (Leslie) and his two sons, Ian and Stellan; his daughter, Rayelle Thomas and her children, Tegan, and Trystan.  Ray was preceded in death by his son, Jay Thomas and first wife, Gayle Saylor Thomas.

A small service and memorial to celebrate his life will be held at the Good Shepard Lutheran church on Garden Street on March 3, 2022 at 11:00 am in Titusville FL.  A second celebration of life will occur on July 10, 2022 at a yet to be determined time and place in Hillman, MI.

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