Samuel Robert Thrush

Samuel Robert Thrush, III, age 87, of Tuscarawas, died peacefully Wednesday, June 23, 2010, in his home, with his loving wife of sixty-four years at his side following a period of declining health.A son of the late Dr. Samuel Robert Thrush, Jr. and Florence Gordon Thrush, Sam was born at Uhrichsville on September 9, 1922.Sam was a 1940 graduate of the former Uhrichsville High School and went on to attend the Ohio State University at Columbus where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1947.On March 26, 1946, Sam married the former Mary Lou Yelton. Together, the couple raised two sons. A manager of Dover Chemical Company during its infancy, Sam spent nine years with the firm and played an instrumental roll in the firm’s growth and development prior to moving into other business ventures.Through the years, Sam became a prominent businessman throughout the Tuscarawas Valley having held controlling interest in New Phila Aviation, now Harry-Clever Field, being a partner and manager of Atwood Lake Golf Club, owning the former McCurdy Candy Company, Thrush Piano Company, Ultra Swift Homes, as well as owning and operating his own chemical company S.R. Thrush Chemical Company and operating numerous divisions from it.Sam was an avid pilot and enjoyed flying his small planes throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Islands. As he was an avid poker player during the last few years he also enjoyed playing poker and taking trips with friends and neighbors to Wheeling Island to Play Texas Hold-em.Additionally, Sam enjoyed fishing, golfing and playing pool and had won a championship doing so while at Ohio State. Following his retirement, Sam and his wife, Mary Lou, traveled together for the better part of twenty years throughout the Western Region of the United States. Samuel will be greatly missed by his wife, and a son, Gregory W. Thrush of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and his wonderful friends and neighbors.A granddaughter, Mary Ann (David) Zimmerman of Canton; a grandson, Samuel Charles Thrush of Indianapolis, Indiana and numerous other family members throughout the United States also survive. In addition to his parents, Samuel was preceded in death by his youngest son, Jeffrey Robert Thrush.A graveside service for family and friends will be held on Friday, June 25, 2010, at 3:00 PM in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia with Rev. Richard Greenwood officiating. There will be no prior calling hours.Personal condolences and memories of Sam may be shared by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions in Sam’s name to the First Presbyterian Church, 217 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.