In loving memory of
Earl B. Thomas

• April 14, 1929
• -
• February 01, 2021

• Share

Earl B. Thomas, Sr., passed away on February 1, 2021, in Fort Myers, Florida. He was 91 years old. Earl was born and raised in a small country village named Outville in Central Ohio. He was a skilled high school athlete and continued his athletic career playing Fastpitch Softball in his early adult years.

During his working life, Earl was employed with Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, where he began working right after high school. In 1956, he began working for Western Electric. In the same year, he decided to purchase land and began building his own custom home in Ohio.

In 1962, he accepted a job in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for a new start-up company, Graphic Products, that ended up becoming a successful international business. Earl was with the company as their Production Manager until his retirement. It is with this company where he ultimately met his current wife, Judy (Kaddatz). They had dated for several years before moving to Fort Myers and getting engaged. In 1999, they were married on Fort Myers Beach at a sunset wedding.

Prior to finding love for a second time, in 1949, he was married to Amy Beadle with whom he shared two sons, Earl, Jr. and Phillip. Earl and Amy were married until her death in 1992.

In his earlier years, Earl enjoyed taking his children fishing and coaching their Little League teams. In his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, reading, going to the beach or pool, dining with family and friends, and worshiping at church.

Earl is survived by his wife, Judith Thomas: sons, Earl (Patricia) Thomas, Jr. and Phillip (Barbara) Thomas; stepchildren, Jill (Richard) Keenley and Stephen Kaddatz; grandsons, Eric (Terra) Thomas and Jason (Penny) Thomas and his great grandchildren, Caleb Thomas, Rowyn Thomas, Austen Thomas and Elyse Thomas.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Amy Marie (Beadle) Thomas and grandson, Matthew Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Zion Lutheran Church, where Earl was an active member.

Due to COVID-19, a small Memorial Service will be held outside of Zion Lutheran Church, 7401 Winkler Rd., Fort Myers, FL 33919, on Wednesday, February 24^th at 11:00am. There will be no luncheon to follow due to safety precautions during this time.