Obituary of Ronald J. Thomas

GOUVERNEUR – Ronald Thomas, Sr., age 75, of Gouverneur, passed away Friday, March 11, 2016 at Summit Village in Watertown where he has resided since February. Calling hours will be at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur on Wednesday, March 16th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. with his funeral service immediately following at 5:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Elmira. Ron was born on November 13, 1940 in Elmira to the late Russell and Louise E. (Schouley) Thomas. He graduated from the Elmira Free Academy in 1958 and from SUNY Oswego in 1962. He received his Masters degree in Industrial Arts from SUNY Cobleskill in 1972. A marriage to Margaret Nolan in June of 1964 ended in divorce. He married Lorraine Claflin in 1990. She passed away on June 25, 2009. He married Gail M. (Byrns) McPherson on June 25, 2011 at the Gouverneur Methodist Church with Rev. Wilfred Baez officiating. Ron worked for the Gouverneur Central School District teaching Wood Shop, Drafting, Driver's Education and others. He was active in helping with the Senior Luncheons at the Methodist Church, was a member of the Boy Scouts where he was a former Scout Master of Troop #21, had received the Silver Beaver Award, and the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow in his youth. He was a member of 4-H Leader and enjoyed woodworking. He was an equestrian, enjoying trail riding, jumping, and competing in horse shows. He was a long time Superintendant of the Gouverneur St. Lawrence County Fair Horse Show, rising from ring crew for Frank Campbell to ring master for Lloyd Wells, to Superintendant. His survivors include his wife, Gail, of Gouverneur, daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Paul Buell of Gouverneur; son, Ronald Thomas, Jr., of Cayuga; step-children, Robert and Kim McPherson of Frisco City, AL, Douglas and Terry McPherson, of Pennellville, NY, Robert and Kathy Claflin of Oak Harbor, WA, Daniel and Erica Claflin of Alexandria, VA, and Jaime and Dennis D'Addario of Winthrop. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Joy Thomas of Millerton, PA; 2 grandchildren, Geneice and Edward; and several step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his second wife, Lorraine, and a brother, William Thomas. Donations in memory of Ron may be made to U.M.C. Troop #21, C/o Gouverneur United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157, Gouverneur NY 13642. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.