OAK HILL— Jack Thomas will be inducted into the Oak Hill Schools Hall of Honor on Saturday, May 26, at the Alumni Banquet.
Jack Thomas was a 1946 graduate of Oak Hill High School where he was also the class secretary. In 1941 at just 13 years of age, Thomas began his career at the Kuhner Funeral Home (now Kuhner-Lewis). He has been an employee at there for 71 years and will be retiring on May 30, 2012 on his 84th birthday.
Jack has personally brought his kind gentle smile to every family that has walked through the doors of the funeral home since its inception in our community. How many citizens of such a small town have ever held such a long career in the same place?
Recently Jack was awarded the Employee of the Year award by the Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce.
Jack and his lovely wife, Peg, have been married for 62 years and have three daughters and all graduated from the Oak Hill High School. They are: Lynda Thomas of Boston, Massachusetts, vice president of marketing of Thermo Fisher Scientific; Sue Smith, Grove City, retired counselor for Westfall Schools, Pickaway County; Beth Howard, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, retired executive from Talbott’s, Inc. Also four grandchildren, T.J. Thomas, Whitney Thomas, Meghan Smith and Brittany Smith and he is so proud of all of them. And lest we forget his and Peg’s faithful friend, Rusty, their dog that goes with them everywhere they go.
In addition to his long career in the funeral business, Jack has been a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church and has been actively involved in the church choir. Jack’s great singing ability has led him to be a longtime member of the Oak Hill Community Choir. In 2010 Jack was the Grand Marshall of the Oak Hill Festival of Flags parade. For many years Jack has been a devoted supporter of the festival and has willingly contributed in all ways possible.
Jack loves sports and the youth sporting events of Oak Hill. You can always find him wearing his Oak Hill gear supporting the mighty “Oaks” every chance he has. Jack loves to see the youth make something of their self and is always there to give them his free advice and encouragement. Being a proud Oak, Jack has been a strong supporter of Oak Hill Schools. Jack truly loves his community and lives to be a part of it. He is also a long time member of the Buckeye Boosters of O.S.U. and a 60 year member of the Portland Masonic Lodge of Oak Hill.
Jack is a true legacy of Oak Hill High School and we are proud to welcome him into the Hall of Honor of Oak Hill Schools.
The annual Oak Hill Alumni Banquet will be held in the Oak Hill High School cafetorium. A meet-and-greet will precede the meal, at 4 p.m., and the banquet will officially begin at 5. A program will follow at 6 p.m.
The cost per person is $17.50, which includes a choice of baked steak or fried chicken, with mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, dessert, and a drink. Reservations must be made by May 21. Reservation information may be sent to Teresa Hughes at 6324 State Route 93, Oak Hill, OH 45656.
For more information about the Oak Hill Alumni Banquet, contact Johanna Crabtree of the Festival of Flags Committee at 682-3920.