COLTON - Funeral services for Orin B. (Bee) Thomas, 88, a resident of Colton, New York, will be held at the First Baptist Church of Parishville on Saturday, December 14th at 11:00 AM with his grandson, Pastor Nathan Thomas officiating. Burial will be held in the Pleasant Mound Cemetery, Colton. Family and friends may call at the Buck Funeral Home in Colton on Friday, December 13th from 2-4 and 7-9:00 PM. Orin went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 8, 2024 while at his home.

Born in Pierrepont, NY on July 28, 1936 to the late Roy and Kathryn (Kitty) Thomas, Orin graduated from Colton-Pierrepont Central School in 1954. After his graduation, he was employed by Putnam-Hawley Building Materials in Potsdam for 19 years. A long-time resident of Pierrepont, he served as an assessor from 1971 to 1973, Supervisor from 1974-1977, and Councilman from 1978 to 1984. In 1974, he moved on from the building materials trade to become the Deputy County Clerk of St. Lawrence County. In 1984, he was elected to be the St. Lawrence County Clerk, a position which he held until his retirement in 1999.

Orin is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bonnie J. (LaLone), son Torey (and wife Melanie), both of Colton, grandsons Ryan (Amanda), Parishville, Nathan (Lana), Sharon, PA, and Jeremy (Chelsea), Hopkinton, his beloved great-grandchildren Reece, Annabelle, Adelaide, Lucy, Scarlett, Evangeline, Seth, Lucas, Kylie and Mia. Orin is also survived by his sister Kay (Robert) O'Brien of Lowville, NY and his brother Bing of Louisville. Orin was pre-deceased by his 10 year old daughter Tammy in 1974, his brothers Allen, Francis, Joseph, Glen, and sister Ann (Grant).

An avid outdoorsman, Orin belonged to several hunting clubs over the years, Moosehead Outing, Brunner Hill, Roaring Brook, and family-owned Lost Brook. He loved being outdoors hunting, trapping, cutting firewood and saw logs, making trails, building tree stands, pruning apple trees and being a good steward of the land. Orin also was a carpenter and a craftsman, spending countless hours in his shop building and refinishing furniture. He always had a project going, never one to sit still. He built his own home and enjoyed helping with his family's building projects and renovations. His favorite saying was "What are we building today?".

Although born in 1936, Orin was reborn in 1999, giving his life over to Jesus Christ. As a member of First Baptist Church of Parishville, he was very involved in all activities and renovations at the church. Orin (Bee) was truly a "people person". He thoroughly enjoyed his job serving people, whether it was at Putnam-Hawley, as a town official, or as St. Lawrence County Clerk. He also served as a fireman for the Pierrepont Fire Department for several years. Nothing was more important to him than spending time with his family. His love for his wife was apparent to anyone that had ever met them. God truly gave Orin an abundant life filled with love and laughter! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Rescue Squad, the Pierrepont Fire Department or to the Pleasant Mound Cemetery Association and memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com . The Buck Funeral Home in Colton is serving the family of Orin B. (Bee) Thomas.