Ronald Michael Thomas

Ronald Michael "Mike" Thomas, a dedicated entrepreneur, decorated community servant, and beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, in Collegedale, Tennessee. He was 81.

Born on March 5, 1944, in Madisonville, Kentucky, Mike spent his early life moving across the country before graduating from Central Bucks High School in 1962, where he was a talented athlete, playing football, wrestling, and track.

Mike was a proud alumnus of Western Kentucky University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in July 1967. While there, he was active in the ROTC program, though a senior-year accident regrettably prevented him from receiving his U.S. Army Officer commission. His professional life began in 1969 when he founded Thomas Marking Products. He loved the independence of being an entrepreneur and embraced the challenge of growing the business through hard work and dedication.

Mike's most profound and enduring legacy was his commitment to humanitarian service through the Lions Club, where he was a dedicated member and proudly served a term as President. His deep involvement earned him the Lion of the Year Award and recognition as a Finis E. Davis Fellow for his dedicated services to the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation. His lifetime of community service contribution was also recognized with the commissioned title of Kentucky Colonel awarded by Governor Matthew G. Bevin.

Mike was married to the love of his life, Carolyn Sue (Johnson) Thomas, for 53 wonderful years. He often said marrying her was the best thing that ever happened to him. Carolyn preceded him in death in 2021.

In his final years, while living at a memory care facility, Mike continued to touch the lives of those around him. He earned the love and respect of staff and residents alike through his unfailing kindness, generosity, and perpetually sharp sense of humor.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Dempsey B. Thomas and Mabel Ellen Dean Nichols Thomas, and his cherished wife, Carolyn Sue Thomas.

He is survived by his two sons, Christopher John Thomas and MAJ Patrick Michael Thomas (U.S. Army, Ret.); his siblings, David Thomas (Timalyn) of Huntsville, AL, Sue Seder (Chuck) of Port Orchard, WA, and Virginia Thomas of Tonasket, WA; and five beloved grandchildren.