Obituary of Donald R. Thomas Ed.D.

Donald R. Thomas, Ph.D., an educator and lifelong resident of South Orange, New Jersey, died on January 21, 2012 after a long illness. He was buried in the family plot at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, on January 26th. A service celebrated in thanksgiving for his life will be held at St. Andrew and Holy Communion Church, 160 W. South Orange Ave, South Orange on Sat, Feb 18th at 10:00AM. Arrangements by Preston Funeral Home, South Orange. Dr. Thomas was born on June 6, 1932 to Dr. John Thomas and Margaret Williams Thomas. He graduated from Columbia High School, South Orange-Maplewood, and earned his BA degree from Columbia University. Following military service in the United States Army, he earned an MA in English from Columbia University. He taught English in Orange and at Livingston High School, and was a Guidance Counselor in the Westfield school system for 21 years prior to his retirement in 1990. During his teaching career, he earned an MA in Guidance from Seton Hall University and his Doctorate in Education from Rutgers University. Throughout his life, Dr. Thomas was an active member of the Church of St. Andrew and Holy Communion, South Orange, singing in the choir and serving in many parish positions, including that of Senior Warden from 1985 to 1987. He wrote a history of the church, which was published in 2010. During his research, he discovered that a resident of South Orange, George McCoy, had died while serving his country in World War I and had been omitted from the Village's War Memorial. After he brought it to the attention of the authorities, Mr. McCoy's name was added to the Memorial. Dr. Thomas also worked actively with the South Orange Historical and Preservation Society to preserve the Old Stone House at South Orange Avenue and Grove Road. He was honored as October, 2011 Vi llager of the Month. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary C. Thomas of Hammond, LA, and her children, John H. Thomas, III, Jane Croxton and Richard C. Thomas, along with their children. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church or to the Columbia High School Scholarship Fund, Box 315, Maplewood, NJ 07040.