OBIT: Stanley B. "Chief" THOMAS, 2006, Salisbury, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library. Transcribed and proofread by: Barry and Betty Christy. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ THOMAS, Stanley B. "Chief" Stanley B. Thomas, fondly known as "Chief", 74, of Salisbury, passed away on June 9, 2006, at Meyersdale Medical Center. Stanley was born on June 13, 1931 to the late Carrie Bowman and Stanley M. Thomas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Garfield Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Mary Ann Saylor. He was proud of his children and their accomplishments: Jefferson and Deborah Thomas, Lakewood, Wash., Stuart and Saimlek Thomas, Painesville, Ohio, Stanley J. Thomas and Kathy Brant, Meyersdale, Albert and Ellen Thomas, Salisbury, and Georgia and Jerome Potts, Williamsport. He had eight beloved grandchildren, Christina Thomas, Kelly Thomas, Jantira Thomas, Sontaya Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Amy Thomas, Ashley Thomas, Treyson Potts. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Margaret "Peg" Thomas of Salisbury, and Sue Frederick, Pasadena, Md. and nieces and nephews. Following his graduation from Salisbury Elk-Lick High School in 1949 he attended The Pennsylvania State University attaining a BA in 1953. After Penn State he attended and graduated from Echols-Temple School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. Later Stan also earned a Masters degree in education from Frostburg State University and did post-graduate work at West Virginia University. For 37 years Chief was a fixture at Salisbury Elk-Lick High School where he taught mathematics and science, served as high school principal and coached the Salisbury Elk-Lick High School Orioles Baseball team. Chief was well known on the baseball fields of the tri-state area, having coached several generations of local youth in Little League, the Bi-State Pony League, and the Hot Stove League. Along with coaching and managing he made the Salisbury Baseball field one of the premier fields in the area. He helped to start the annual Salisbury Little League Tournament. The Somerset County Old-Timers' Baseball Association honored him as a charter inductee to its Hall of Fame and appointed him to serve on the board. He was a great Baltimore Orioles fan and the Colts broke his heart when they abandoned Baltimore. As a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association he always was an avid supporter of Nittany Lion Football. He was a member of the Meyersdale Masonic Lodge and the Harrisburg Consistory. Stan was a member of the Meyersdale Medical Center Board of Trustees, the Salisbury Water Commission, a lifetime member of the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, a charter member of the Shunk Run Hunting Club, the Queen City Chapter of the Antique Automobile Association of America, St. John's United Church of Christ, Salisbury, the Salisbury VFW Home Association, and a former member of the Board of the Meyersdale Area Historical Society. He was an avid collector of petroliana with a large collection of gas globes and porcelain signs. In recent years Stan concentrated on his duties as founder, owner and operator of the Thomas Salvage Company. His 1959 green Studebaker truck was a familiar sight on the roads of the area. He will be remembered and missed by many. Newman Funeral Home, Inc, Salisbury, is in charge of the arrangements. At Stan's request, there will be no viewing. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m Sunday at St. John's United Church of Christ, Ord Street, Salisbury with the Rev. Dr. Philip Sorenson officiating. Interment will be in Salisbury Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Meyersdale Medical Center, 200 Hospital Drive, Meyersdale, PA 15552 or Youth Baseball, c/o Lori Otto, First National Bank, Box 7, Salisbury, PA 15558. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.newman-funeralhomes.com. Daily American, June 10, 2006 ---- THOMAS, Stanley B. June 13, 1931 June 9, 2006 Stanley B. Thomas, fondly known as "Chief", 74, of Salisbury, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2006, at Meyersdale Medical Center. Stanley was born on June 13, 1931 to the late Carrie Bowman and Stanley M. Thomas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Garfield Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Mary Ann Saylor. He was proud of his children and their accomplishments: Jefferson and Deborah Thomas, Lakewood, Wash., Stuart and Saimlek Thomas, Painesville, Ohio, Stanley J. Thomas and Kathy Brant, Meyersdale, Albert and Ellen Thomas, Salisbury, and Georgia and Jerome Potts, Williamsport. He had eight beloved grandchildren, Christina Thomas, Kelly Thomas, Jantira Thomas, Sontaya Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Amy Thomas, Ashley Thomas, Treyson Potts. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Margaret "Peg" Thomas of Salisbury, and Sue Frederick, Pasadena, Md. and nieces and nephews. Following his graduation from Salisbury Elk-Lick High School in 1949 he attended The Pennsylvania State University attaining a BA in 1953. After Penn State he attended and graduated from Echols-Temple School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. Later Stan also earned a Masters degree in education from Frostburg State University and did post-graduate work at West Virginia University. For 37 years, Chief was a fixture at Salisbury Elk-Lick High School where he taught mathematics and science, served as high school principal and coached the Salisbury Elk-Lick High School Orioles Baseball team. Chief was well known on the baseball fields of the tri-state area, having coached several generations of local youth in Little League, the Bi-State Pony League, and the Hot Stove League. Along with coaching and managing he made the Salisbury Baseball field one of the premier fields in the area. He helped to start the annual Salisbury Little League Tournament. The Somerset County Old- Timer's Baseball Association honored him as a charter inductee to its Hall of Fame and appointed him to serve on the board. He was a great Baltimore Orioles fan and the Colts broke his heart when they abandoned Baltimore. As a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association he always was an avid supporter of Nittany Lion Football. He was a member of the Meyersdale Masonic Lodge and the Harrisburg Consistory. Stan was a member of the Meyersdale Medical Center Board of Trustees, the Salisbury Water Commission, a lifetime member of the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, a charter member of the Shunk Run Hunting Club, the Queen City Chapter of the Antique Automobile Association of America, St. John's United Church of Christ, Salisbury, the Salisbury VFW Home Association, and a former member of the Board of the Meyersdale Area Historical Society. He was an avid collector of petroliana with a large collection of gas globes and porcelain signs. In recent years, Stan concentrated on his duties as founder, owner and operator of the Thomas Salvage Company. His 1959 green Studebaker truck was a familiar sight on the roads of the area. He will be remembered and missed by many. Newman Funeral Home, Inc., Salisbury, is in charge of the arrangements. At Stan's request, there will be no viewing. A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 11,2006 at St. John's United Church of Christ, Ord Street, Salisbury with the Rev. Dr. Philip Sorenson officiating. Interment was in Salisbury Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Meyersdale Medical Center, 200 Hospital Drive, Meyersdale, PA 15552 or Youth Baseball, c/o Lori Otto, First National Bank, Box 7, Salisbury, PA 15558. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.newmanfuneralhomes.com The New Republic, June 15, 2006