Obituary of Joseph Arthur Thomas

Smethport - Joseph A. “Art” Thomas, 89, of Cyclone, died Monday (May 12, 2014), at his residence in Cyclone. He was born April 11, 1925 in Bear Town, a son of Frank J. and Bertha Towner Thomas. In 1962, in Smethport, PA, he married Twila B. McKee, who survives. Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1943 to 1946. He was a welder and equipment operator for the Operating Engineers. He then was a self employed welder for several years, running Thomas Welding. He then worked for Pennzoil as a welder until he retired. He was a member of The Wanderers Motorcycle Club, the American Legion; John Berg Post #976 of Crosby and was a past member of the VFW Post #2497 of Smethport. In addition to his wife, he is survived by: three daughters: Regina (Gary) Frain of Sarver, PA, Jarrica (Bill) Shorter of Winter Springs, FL and Anita (Kevin Sluga) Thomas of Johnstown, PA three sons: Eric (Karen) Thomas of Cyclone, Stanley (Connie) Halladay of Gifford, and Wayne (Mindy) Thomas of Port Allegany 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren one sister: “Sis” (Charles) Cullen of Summerfield, FL one brother: Milford L. "Pete" Thomas of Butte, MT and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Albert and Richard Thomas. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, where funeral services will be held Friday, May 16 at 11:00 am, with the Rev. Glenn Hamilton, officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport. Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion; John Berg Post #976 of Crosby along with the Port Allegany Honor Guard. The family requests friends dress casual for the funeral. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.