Keith Thomas

Keith Gordon Thomas, age 81, of Fennville-MI, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Holland Hospital. He was born on September 20, 1940, in Kalamazoo, to Kenneth & Laura Thomas. Keith graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1958, and Western Michigan University in 1962 with the Army ROTC program, and then married the same year (briefly). He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in West Germany from 1962-64 as a 1st Lieutenant military police officer, and in a reserve capacity for several years after that (while working at Hydreco in Galesburg-MI). Keith learned the German language well, and went back to live and work in Germany from 1968-74. Returning to Michigan for good in 1974, Keith had several short-term jobs before becoming a security officer in 1981 at the Consumers Power Company Palisades Nuclear Plant, working there for 13 years. Then a few more temporary manufacturing jobs in the Holland area before retiring in 2004. Keith loved his dogs, classic cars, many kinds of music, the Michigan lakeshore, and his extended family in Michigan and Kansas/Missouri. Being a trumpet and cornet player since High School, he also played for many years with the Casco Community Band (Casco Twp./Allegan County), and the New Horizons Band of Grand Rapids, which he enjoyed very much. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary J. Thomas of Nunica-MI, nieces, Debora Gray (Rockford-MI) and Lori Nesbitt (Grand Haven-MI), nephew, Mark Thomas also of Rockford-MI, as well as many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Gerald K. Thomas of Delton-MI in 2014. Burial will take place at Mt. Ever Rest Cemetery (South), in Kalamazoo on Sept. 10, 2022 at 11:00am. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, (616) 452-3006, honored providers of Veterans Funeral Care. Donations in Keith's name can be sent to Casco Community Band, PO box 985, South Haven-MI 49090. A 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith Thomas, please visit our flower store.