David E. Thomas
April 19, 1964 ~ August 24, 2012
David E. Thomas, 48, Plainfield, died suddenly on August 24, 2012. Dave was born April 19, 1964, in Huntington Beach, California, to Clarence Thomas and Natalie (Antkowiak) Mains.
Dave graduated from Connor High School, Hebron, Kentucky, in 1982 and went on to graduate from Cincinnati Technical College in 1984. He was an inspector for 25 years for American Trans Air and most recently was employed at Rolls-Royce. An avid and accomplished pilot, Dave enjoyed all things related to flying. He was a member of the Screaming Eagles Model Air Plane Club and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a 20-year volunteer at the EAA show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In addition, Dave was a member of The Church at Mt. Gilead. Dave’s main mission in life was to make other people smile.
Survivors include his wife, Stacy (Crowe) Thomas; son, Jaxson Gregory; step-daughter, Leslie Ayers; step-son, Clayton Ayers; mother, Natalie Mains of Dry Ridge, Kentucky; father and step-mother, Clarence and Donna Thomas of Lake Wales, Florida; brother, Jim Thomas (Carolyn) of Indianapolis; step-sister, Tamera Terew (Troy) of Fishers; parents-in-law, Robert and Carla Crowe of New Castle.
The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012, in The Church at Mt. Gilead, 6019 E. State Road 144, Mooresville, with visitation there from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 28, 2012. Cremation will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Quality of Life Fund, c/o The Community Foundation of Morgan County. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com/ to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Stacy, Our hearts are filled with sadness over David’s death. We send our love and sympathy to you and your family. Norma and Tom McComb, Susie Hurt’s parents.
Dave always knew how to make everyone laugh. He was so goofy, but always very helpful. He helped me find a fuel leak in my car! Thanks for everything Dave! You were an amazing father to your children, husband to your wife, and friend to me and everyone else. You will for sure be missed, thank you for your time here on earth. <3
I had the good fortune to work with Dave at ATA. He was a good and thoughtful person with a larger than life personality and one fine mech. He will be missed. My prayers go out to his family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Stacy, I am so sorry–you are in our prayers! Love, Sue
Stacy, our deepest sympathies and prayers! As Madalyn said, ‘Mr. Thomas was so awesome, just like Mrs. Thomas! He is going to be missed by everyone!’ I love you bunches!!
Stacy, I was so sorry to hear about your husband, Dave. I know this is heartbreaking for you. I will think of you and pray that love, faith and friendship will surround your family and give you comfort. Carole Ellinghausen
‘Our thoughs and prayers are with the Dave Thomas family ‘
We were so saddened by the news of Dave’s passing! He was such a joyful person and always ready to lend a hand. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Sincerely, Plainfield High School Choral Boosters
Stacy, We are so sorry for your loss. God’s grace will lead you to a brighter day. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe and Jean Ash
On behalf of Gary, Lynn, Kasey and Matt Jump, friends and former neighbors of Dave when he lived on Hillcrest Court in Danville, we are shocked and saddened by his passing. Despite the years since we’ve seen him, we still consider him a good friend. We last spent time together during a camping trip in Brown County when he made pancakes for our family after the batter sat a bit too long. We teased him the rest of the weekend about making seat cushions (inch-thick pancakes)…Stacy, if you ever heard the story, it was our son, Matt, who gave Dave a good scare one evening after dark while Dave was taking out the trash. Matt was only about 3 but left out our front door heading two doors over to see Dave and was walking along the opposite side of the car in Dave’s driveway. Dave could see the top of Matt’s head and thought it was a prowler trying to sneak away from him. By the time I chased after Matt and found him, we all had a good laugh but all of our hearts were racing too. As others have stated, his smile was warm and contagious and we have nothing but fond memories of Dave Thomas. What a great man! Please accept our sincerest sympathies and love. The Jumps
Stacy, We all miss Dave, but know that he is continuing his journey and is being loved and well supported by God and the Angels.-Tom R.
Dave and Stacy were the best parents for Jaxson. I have never seen so much love and support that was given so freely. Thank you Dave for being the kind of parent and father that Jaxson needed. Even though it was sadly for just a short time it meant the world to Jaxson and to Herb and I to see him so happy. Jaxson will need those memories to substain him in the days and months to come, but with his mom, Stacy, he will continue to grow into a wonderful young man. Love you, Cookie and Herb
I only knew Dave through the Screaming Eagles r/c club but I always smiled when I pulled up and saw his truck was also at the flying field because I knew we would have a great day full of laughter and jokes while flying. We shared a common interest in all things aviation and could talk about it all day and often tried to. It was really great watching Dave and Jaxson at the field these past few years, going to Toledo, swap meets, etc. They have a special bond and I am sure Jaxson will cherish the memories of Dave teaching him to fly at the field forever just as I cherish those memories with my own father. I hope that Jaxson and the family knows you are always welcome at the flying field. -Chris Atwood,
I have known Dave for several years through Warbirds of America. He was a wonderful friend, a dedicated father, and a kid at heart. His big smile always brightened the day. I will miss you Dave. Godspeed, my friend.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you during this time and you find peace in His arms. Greg and Robin (Shepherd) Middleton.
The last time I saw Dave, my husband and I were sitting on the grass at the Chateau Thomas Winery listening to a band.Some guy came up to me and sat down real close. I thought what the heck. I turned and was face to face with Dave. I had not seen him in a long time due to ATA moving my husband and I to San Antonio Texas. I gave him a big hug and laughed. My husband Dave, myself and Dave were all inspectors at ATA. There were a lot of great times and memories during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole Thomas family. He will be missed, David and Brenda Campbell
Words cannot express the feelings of great loss and sadness at Dave’s passing. He was an awesome person, kind, generous, and always willing to lend a hand. He did truly bring a smile to everyone’s life he touched. I pray God comforts his family during this sorrowful time and the many long months to follow. JoElla
I knew Dave as a fellow Mechanic at ATA where he was always never too busy to lend a helping hand and show a new mechanic the ropes. He had a big passion for his family, friends and everything airplanes. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. He will be truely missed.
Dave taught me a lot at ATA and strengthened my bond with Aerospace with his own passion. It was always nice to start the morning with his kind smile and voice at work. A good man and a great teacher. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
On behalf of the Brooklyn Church of God, we extend our thoughts and prayers of comfort to the family. Pastor Ray
Stacy and Jaxson: What a wonderful man! I only knew him a short time and unfortunately, it was due to my husband’s passing. He was such a giving person and always willing to help. He was always smiling and cheerful…truely loved people. Jacob and I will be here for you and Jaxson. I also know that Leslie and Crayton will suffer from his loss, as well. We will hold you all in our arms and pray for you for comfort during this very sorrowful time. Pam Brouse, Justin and Jacob
I didn’t know Dave, but Stacy was my sons teacher last year and she is a wonderful person. My son loved having her as a teacher. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave was a wonderful man. Our family couldn’t help but love him, if for no other reason than the joy he brought my dear friend Stacy and her children. He had such a great sense of humor and really loved his family. I remember our camping/boating trip to Shelbyville Lake. He had borrowed a HUGE RV from a friend. After the men managed to park that beast he started cooking for everyone. 🙂 I’m so sorry for this loss. He will be missed by many! Felicia Brazier
What a neat guy he was. I will miss that great, bright smile, how every time I complained about the weather, he’d say, ‘I love it!’ , and of course, chuckling when he called after Chloe every time I picked her up from the Thomas house: ‘Glad you got to see me!’
Mrs. Thomas: We are so sad and grief stricken along with you in the tragic loss of your husband. Please know our hearts go out to you and your children. You are in our prayers. Paul and Tracy, Kaitlin, Ryan and Jenna Crafts
I am so shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of Dave. I worked with him at ATA for all those years. It just doesn’t seem right. Just so you know,,, he DID make everyone smile when he entered a room, and he was a FINE young man. Always treated everyone well and a pleasure to work with. He will be missed by anybody who ever knew him. Thoughts and prayers going out to your family. Jeannie Brown ATA Interline Dept.
We love and Miss you Dave. Always in our family and always in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Stacy.
We are so sorry……Praying for you daily. Hugs….The Dye family
Stacy, Bill and I are so sorry to hear of David’s passing. We didn’t spend a great deal of time with him, but we truly enjoyed it, when we did. The bus trip to and from the restaurant in Houston for the rehearsal dinner was a prime example of how much fun he could be. I don’t know when we have laughed that much since. Please know that you and the children are in our thoughts. We love you all. Bill and Trudy Crowe
Stacey, I am so sorry to hear of David’s passing, you and your family our in our thoughts and prayers. Richard and Vickie (Lanoue) Bozell
I met Dave through Amanda. He was always so much fun. I have memories of boating, the winery and get togethers involving Dave. I will miss seeing this fun-loving and kind man. May memories bring comfort to his family and friends. So sad.
Stacy, Our condolences and prayers to you on the loss of your husband David. May you find the strength in those who comfort you to carry on David’s memory. John and Linda Miller
Stacy, my heart goes out to you and your family..I am very glad Dave and I got to talk at the reunion and share memories, You could tell when he talked about his life, He loved you and the kids very much, He was a proud father..He was a good high school friend,He will be missed by so many. Prays are for you,, Annie (Maxwell) Mallicoat
I have SO many memories and great times with Dave. Family times, dinner/drinks, love for nature, hot and sweaty Oshkosh, fishing, smile/humor, water skiing, deep discussions/encouragement, flying in the Cessna for pancakes, the inability to sit still/relax – he always had several projects going, giving personatlity, R/C airplane building and flying…..He was a great friend, brother, Uncle to Heather, and role model to Tyler and Spencer (who also called him Uncle Dave). We are happy that he had the opportunity to have a loving marriage and be a great father. Our deepest sympathy to Stacy, Leslie, Clayton, and Jaxson. You will be greatly missed. Be in peace and fly freely! Valisa and Bob Harlan
To Stacy and her family, condolences from the extended Egan family of Rensselaer.
Our prayers are with Dave and Stacy’s family’s. We were very lucky to have known Dave. God doesn’t make them any better than Dave. He would sing ‘I’m so good lookin’ when he wanted me to smile.
Donna, he would sing that at home as well!!
The name ‘Crazy ‘Uncle’ Dave’ was coined to brighten up a Christmas gathering. I never thought it would stick as tightly as it did. But when someone acts like and treats you as part of his family, they become family. 8 months later, I haven’t called him anything else. Being 12,000 miles away for school makes the loss even tougher and words can’t describe how much it hurts to have lost a man that is truly apart of my family. To all of the Thomas and Ayers families, my greatest sympathies go out to you. Uncle Dave has been making his family, friends, and God smile for 48 years. It’s just time that he sees God smile back. I love you Uncle Dave.