Garry N. Thomas, 73, of Landingville, died Sept. 29, 2021, at the Lebanon VA Medical Center.
Born in Richmond, CA on Sept. 3, 1948, he was a son of the late Thomas W. and Betty A. (Zimmerman) Thomas. He was a 1966 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and served in the United States Coast Guard from 1966-1970. He was a longtime salesman for the Schuylkill Haven Casket Company, from which he retired in 2018.
Garry moved to Landingville in 1980, raising his family there and leading a number of community service efforts, which were a lifelong pursuit. He served as a member, Secretary and Assistant Chief of the Community Fire Company of Landingville since 1980. Prior to that, he was a member of the Friedensburg Fire Company. Garry served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 616 in Landingville from 1985 to 1997.
He was a longtime supporter of local sports. He served as both an assistant coach and head coach of the Schuylkill Haven Midget Football Giants. He volunteered as clock keeper for the Varsity and Junior Varsity Schuylkill Haven High School Hurricanes football team.
He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and camping throughout his life. In recent years, he cherished trips to Lake Ontario for salmon fishing.
Garry was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Margaret E. (Ginther) Thomas who passed away in 2010. Surviving are two children: daughter Tara E. Thomas of Landingville, and son Todd A. Thomas, husband of Christine, of Landingville. He is also survived by brothers Craig R. Thomas (Crown Point, IN), Dr. Kurt K. Thomas (Hanover, PA) and Brian S. Thomas (Pottsville, PA). A sister, Karen A. (Thomas) Anderson, also preceded him in death in 2014.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., in Orwigsburg, PA on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at 11 AM. Family and friends are invited to visit from 9-11 AM. Internment with Military Honors will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Fire Company of Landingville, 1 Firehouse Road, Landingville PA, 17972. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.orwigsburgfuneral.com.
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