John William Thomas,

John W. Thomas, Jr. age 76 of Carmel, IN and Siesta Key, FL, passed away September 7, 2007. John was born on April 5, 1931 to the late John W. and Becky Ellis Thomas. He graduated from Henderson (NC) High School and Duke University in 1955. John was an all conference athlete for the state of North Carolina and received a football scholarship to attend Duke University. He played in the Orange Bowl his senior year in college. John worked for Crawford & Company, the largest independent claims organization in the worked, for 37 years. He began his career as a claim adjuster in Fayetteville, North Carolina and steadily advanced, assuming management positions in Charlotte, NC; Detroit and Saginaw Michigan, and Indianapolis. He served as branch manager of the Indianapolis office for 20 years, retiring in 1992, Crawford & Company recognized John as their Peak Performer during that year. John was a member of Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis and the Broad Ripple Sertoma Club. He belonged to Woodland Country Club for over 20 years. He held many leadership positions as a member of First Baptist Church of Indianapolis and Siesta Key Chapel. John was born during the depression era in...[more]

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ry humble surroundings. Through hard work and perseverance, he was able to overcome adversity and achieve success on many levels. He was a gifted athlete, receiving many awards in baseball and football during high school. Later, he developed a lifelong passion for the game of golf. He and his wife Marilyn (Watkins) of 49 years and who preceded him in death, shared their love of the game. John was well known for his green thumb. At Sarasota Surf and Racquet Club, the condo where he and Marilyn lived, he was instrumental in the planning and installation of landscaping. He derived a great deal of satisfaction from the joy his handiwork brought others, and was recognized by the City of Siesta Key for his beautification efforts. At his Carmel home, John spent countless hours tending to his roses and shared them with friends as well as local hospital patients. John was famous for his southern Pecan Pie. During the holidays, friends would bring their empty pie plates to him so they could be filled with one of his delicious creations. He was also disciplined in his exercise routine and went to Cardiac Rehab three days a week. John was preceded in death by his brother, B. Frank Thomas. He is survived by his daughters, Beth (Bob) Perry, Santa Barbara, CA, Margaret (John) Baranowski, Carmel, IN and four grandchildren, Katherine, Grace, Jack and Meredith.