Dow Delano Thomas, 89, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at Green Hills Community.
He was born in Cable, Ohio, on April 21, 1933, to Frances Hackley Thomas and Albert B. Thomas.
He attended school in Cable for 11 years, Urbana for one year and graduated from Urbana High School June 5, 1951.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Vickie Thomas-Smith; his former spouses, Jeannine Wingfield and Christine Gillespie; his best friend, Glenna Baird, who passed away in 2020; and his brothers, David, Jack, Jerry and Dewey.
Survivors include his children, Aaron (Pattie) Thomas of Arizona, and Jill Thomas and Charles Ray (Sherry) Thomas, both of Bellefontaine; a son-in-law, Steve Smith of Lakeview; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Dow worked for a barn builder at 13 years old through the summer months. Then he worked for Richard Martin for two years, and later, Mr. Martin worked for him for two years. Dow also worked for Mr. Castello in Springfield.
He contracted his first house for Mr. Dennis Dillon when he was 20 years old. His company name was Dow Thomas Builder, and through the company, he built approximately 400 to 600 houses, and numerous shopping strips, barns, bars and grocery stores.
Dow semi-retired at 57 years old because of health problems, but continued to do home remodeling for himself until he was 80 years old. “I had no hobbies, and loved my work,” he said.
His oldest brother told Dow that he had a photographic mind, which aided him in his design work.
“I have had good times and bad times, but I really liked people who exerted themselves. The only difference between success and failure is to try again,” he said.
“How do you spell luck? W-O-R-K. The sun does not shine on you every day, but when it does, take advantage of it.”
“God loves lazy people — he made many of them. A rich man is a man who is happy with what he has.”
No calling hours are planned. He will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered. Jennings, Farley & Seeley Funeral home, West Liberty, is handling arrangements.