Dr. John W. Thomas

Dr. John W. Thomas, age 82, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and healer of many for over 50 years, entered eternal life with Christ on Tuesday, June 5. Survived by his loving wife, Delphine (Grzegorczyk) who he wisely married 52 years ago; daughters Rachel (Brendan): grandchildren Lindsay, Johannah, Molly, Thomas; Meagen (David); Sarah; Bridget (Tim):grandchildren John, Gabe, Luke, Abby, Sam, and Stella Maris; Erin (Max): grandchildren Grayson and Vivienne. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and Beta Theta Pi. He dutifully served his country as Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at 36th Evac in Vung Tau, Vietnam. He has gone home to the open arms of his parents, Raymond and Mary Alice Thomas, formerly of Tell City, IN, as well as brothers Gerald, James, and his sister, Patricia. Devout in his faith, he was a loyal parishioner of St. Andrew Church, served on the Finance Board, and played on the Old Timers softball team for years. He attended Maryknoll in preparation for seminary life, but eventually received a football scholarship and attended Wabash College, earning degrees in Philosophy and Zoology, before attending St. Louis Medical School. He began practicing medicine in 1964 and established his own practice, Columbus Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, in 1987. Among many other distinctions, including being voted Best Doctor by his peers in Columbus Monthly, he was most proud to receive Guardian Angel Recognition for compassion and excellence in care at Mt. Carmel Hospital. He has saved or improved the lives of many creatures, great and small (ducks, squirrels, and birds, many to whom he gave names). To honor this, we ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to HumaneSociety.org or St. Andrew Church (1899 McCoy Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43220). Friends may call Saturday, June 9 between 11am-3pm at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43220.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, June 11 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 18020 Lafayette Street, Leopold, IN 47551.  Burial to follow at Derby-St. Mary Cemetery in  Derby, IN.   Please join us for a Memorial Mass and luncheon Celebration of Dr. Thomas here in Columbus later this summer at St. Andrew Church. Date and details to come.

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