Lowell Dean Thomas

Lowell Dean Thomas, 85, of Athens, GA, formerly of Williamsport, IN, passed away on October 25, 2024.

 Born in rural Hoopeston, IL on September 1, 1939, to Bethel D. and Ruby E. (Anderson) Thomas, he graduated from West Lebanon H.S. in 1958 & joined the Navy for 4 years, attending electronics school & completing 36 months of service on the USS Robert L. Wilson, DD-847.

After serving in the Navy, he was employed for 30 years with Farm Bureau Insurance, as an agent & subsequently as an adjuster.

After retiring from Farm Bureau, he taught as a substitute in Warren County elementary schools, worked at L.S. Ayres, & Custer Insurance Agency.Dean loved to sing & listen to Gospel music, especially southern gospel. He was devoted to the Lord and was active in the local church and several Christian organizations throughout his lifetime. He spent 20 years each as Elder at Williamsport Christian Church & on the Board at Hanging Rock Christian Assembly. He served as Chaplain for the USS Robert L. Wilson Association. 

He was a fan of Seeger H.S. sports, the Boilermakers, & the Cubs. He loved to golf & was a charter member of Big Pine G. C.

He married Sonja Sue Barnhart on June 5, 1966 (58 yrs). She survives, along with children, Natalie Thomas of Spring Hill, TN, & minister Cory Thomas, wife Tasha, & awesome grandchildren Rebecca & Micah of Madison, GA.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mildred Strong, brothers, B. Anderson, Austin, Hoyle, & Ronald.

A visitation will be held at Grady Funeral Home in Williamsport, IN on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. until funeral service time at 11:00 a.m., Minister Don Williams, officiating. Inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hanging Rock Christian Camp & Williamsport Christian Church.