Obituary of Rodney J. Thomas

SOUTH COLTON—Funeral services for 62 year old Rodney J. “Rod” Thomas, a resident of 4037 St. Highway 56, South Colton, will held Friday, October 2, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Zion Episcopal Church in Colton. Family and friends may call at the Buck Funeral Home in Colton on Thursday from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Mr. Thomas passed away suddenly Monday morning. Rod is survived by his wife of 41 years, Cheryl; his two sons, Gavin and Shelly, Rochester; Eric and Jessie, Pittsford, NY; his two grandchildren, Marcus and Evan Thomas; his sister, Catherine and Walter Cook, Potsdam and his brother, Peter and Charolette Thomas, Colton. Born in Potsdam on December 24, 1952 to the late William H. and Sally Swift Thomas, Rod graduated from Colton-Pierrepont Central School in 1971. He played varsity soccer and baseball at Potsdam College, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor’s degree in Geology and Physics and certification in secondary and elementary education. He married Cheryl F. Ford on July 27, 1974. Rod taught earth science at Colton-Pierrepont and then was hired as a fifth and sixth grade science teacher where he remained for thirty-three years. He coached girls’ soccer, girls’ softball, boys’ soccer, and baseball. His girls’ soccer teams won multiple sectional and regional titles. He led the boys’ soccer team to a NYS championship in 2006. On and off the playing field, he inspired countless young men and women. He was a firm believer in molding exceptional young people as well as athletes. He was also active as a softball umpire and high school and college soccer referee. Serving as local union president for NYSUT, Rod was involved in many union committees. He also worked in the gardens at Sunday Rock and Zion Church alongside his mother. He participated in various committees developing Swift field. Rod was an avid skier, golfer, and squash player. He loved traveling with his family, and he and Cheryl achieved their goal of driving to all 48 continental states. His greatest love was for his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. He valued his time with his two grandsons and was eagerly awaiting his third. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Rod Thomas Soccer Camp Scholarship in c/o James Nee at the Colton- Pierrepont Central School, the Colton Rescue Squad or the Zion Church. Memories and Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.buckfuneralhome.com. The Buck Funeral Home in Colton is serving the family of Rodney J. Thomas.