David Evan Thomas

David E. Thomas Sr. 71 of Navarre, formerly of New Philadelphia, died Saturday, March 9, 2002 at his home following an extended illness.Born in New Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Evan W. and Geraldine Lab Thomas. He was a 1948 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, a graduate of Heidelberg College where he was all Ohio in Football and received his masters’ degree in mathematics from Montana State University. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served during the Korean War. Dave started his teaching career in math at Delaware High School where he also served as assistant football coach. He then taught for four years at Wooster High School and served as assistant football coach and head wrestling coach. He retired from his teaching career at Olmstead Falls where he taught math and served as head football coach. Following his retirement from teaching, he worked for the former Campus Sweater and Sportswear Company where he worked as Computer Program Manager. Surviving is his wife, the former Gloria A. Terakedis, whom he married November 1953; a daughter, Davina (Michael) Rice of Ashland; a son, David (Judi) Thomas II of Rochester, Michigan and a daughter, Denise (Milton) Hudson of Pine Mountain, California; a sister, Mary Belle Wisintainer of New Philadelphia; four grandchildren, Dawn, Christopher, Heather and Evan; two great grandchildren, Daysha and Maniah. A sister, Norma J. Lamb, is deceased.Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2002 at 1:30 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia with Rev. Dr. Steven R. Bailey officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2002 from 5 to 8 PM in the funeral home. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mercy Medical Center Hospice, 1320 Mercy Drive NW, Canton, Ohio, 44708.