William Alonzo Lonnie" Thomas

TROY-William Alonzo "Lonnie" Thomas, 97, long time resident of Troy, PA, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at the Twin Oaks Personal Care Home. He was the husband of Vadys (Reeser) Thomas. The couple married on June 1, 1935 and had 72 years together. Family and friends are welcome to call from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, March 6, 2008 and again on Friday morning, March 7th from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral Home Inc., 110 West Main Street, Troy, PA. A tribute service to honor Lonnie's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Jasper Smith, retired United Methodist minister, will be officiating. Burial will follow the service in Wetona Cemetery. Lonnie was born on September 12, 1910 in Alba, PA. He was the son of the late Alvin and Mary (Newell) Thomas. Lonnie was a 1929 graduate of Troy High School and went on to attend Meeker Business Institute. After, Lonnie worked as a farmer, ran a Troy gas station, served as Troy Township supervisor and drove a school bus. Lonnie was active in the Troy Lions Club; he helped the club start both youth basketball and baseball teams. He was instrumental in getting the Troy and Canton "Old Shoe" football game and the Troy All-Sports Banquet started, and was named Grand Marshall of Troy High's 1997 homecoming parade. Most of all Lonnie is known for devotion to the Troy fair, The Troy Farm Museum, and Alparon Park. He worked on the park grounds, served on the park executive board, was president of the Troy Fair for around 20 years until retiring in 1994, and was one of the founders of the Troy Farm Museum. Lonnie served as 1964 Bradford County Heart Fund chairman. That same year the county raised $9,385.26, $3,000 more than the previous fund drive. He got a national award from the American Heart Association and a service pin from the North central Pennsylvania Heart Association. Lonnie is survived by his wife Vadys of Troy, PA,, his son Lowell A. (Barbara) Thomas, Sr. of Hamburg, PA, his grandchildren: Lowell A. Thomas, Jr. of Troy, PA, Lara A. Thomas of Leesport, PA, Christopher W. (Crystal) Thomas of Shillington, PA, and Zachary W. Thomas, and great grandchildren: Kimberly Thomas, Micah Thomas, and Bronwin Thomas. Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers: Raymond and Carlton Thomas. Contributions may be made in Lonnie's memory to the Bradford County Heritage Association and Farm Museum, PO Box 265, Troy, PA 16947.