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Grover B. Thomas, Jr.
Born: 7/7/1924
Died: 1/2/2017
Age: 92
Community: Burton, MI
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THOMAS, Grover B., Jr. - age 92, World War II Vet, passionate world traveler and among the most loving and kindest men God has put in the earth, moved on to Heaven on December 31, 2016 while doing two of the things he enjoyed most, watching football and eating ice cream. Grover was born in Flint on July 7, 1924 to his loving mother Wiona and father Grover B. Thomas Sr. He graduated from Flint Central High School and played trumpet in the marching band. He joined the Navy in 1942 and served in Air Sea Rescue as an instructor where he made over 150 parachute jumps. He was an aerial gunner and served on various zeppelins as a spotter to locate enemy submarines on the east coast. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with five medals. Grover then married the love of his life, June Ketterer in 1947. What would follow was 69 years of one of the most loving and genuine marriages most of us have ever witnessed. They doted on each other continually and their passion and love never waned and will continue on forever. After leaving the military and with a new wife aboard, Grover attended Wayne State and became a licensed Mortician working for Dodds-Dumanois Funeral Home. He then switched careers, working for Buick in Plant Protection from 1950 to 1987 before retiring. Along the way, he had four children, son Grover (Paula) Thomas, daughter Debbie (Jim) Patterson, son Kevin Thomas, and son John (Susan) Thomas. He would often say the greatest joy of his life was his family, and he poured compassionate love and guidance into his four children, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Grover treated everyone with fairness and was respected for his calm, thoughtful attention to life. Though he loved bowling, Michigan football, and the Detroit Tigers, one of his foremost passions was traveling, which first started by putting his kids in a station wagon and touring the USA and which later progressed to world travel with too many cruises and countries to count. Toward the end of his life he shared the well-deserved honor of being Genesee County Father of the Year and the Detroit Tigers gave him a special day by putting his name on the scoreboard and he got to meet one of his favorite players, Miguel Cabrera. Grover also had a strong spiritual sense and he loved watching Joel Osteen for his uplifting and positive message. He didn’t quite make it to the New Year’s toast, but we are asking all those who wish to honor Grover to raise a glass in reflective observation to salute a man who had the courage to live a genuine, authentic life by just being himself. It was this simple but profound gift that changed all of us. As my mom and his wife would often say, we were all so lucky to have such a wonderful man in our lives and that really is the truth. Grover was preceded in death by mother Wiona, father Grover B. Thomas Sr., step-father Leo Hesch, loving sisters, Virginia, Jean, Beverly, Maxine, Betty and beloved family dog Charlie whom dad thought was half-human.
He is survived by wife June, all children, all grandchildren, all great-grandchildren, numerous relatives, and by those committed to peace and kindness. Finally, dad would often tell each of us that he loved us, and now, one last time dad, we can tell you we love you and thank you for being you. Nobody did it better and we look forward to seeing you again.
Visitation 1-8pm Wednesday and Thursday and 11am Friday until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Funeral service will be held 2pm Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Burial in Sunset Hills Cemetery with a military graveside service under the auspices of VFW Post #822 Honor Guard.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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1/2/2017 |
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| Visitation 1-8pm Wednesday and Thursday and 11am Friday until the time of the service at the funeral home. |
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| Funeral Service |
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1/6/2017 |
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2:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Swartz Funeral Home & Cremation Center
1225 West Hill Road
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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