Cecil Virgil Thomas was born on April 30, 1938, in Akron, Ohio to Joseph and Katie L. Thomas. Katie was Cecil’s joy. He absolutely adored his mother and was the second born of six children: Joanne, Walter, Cheyenne, Patricia, Danny, and William “Butch” McCullough.

Cecil graduated from Buchtel High School in 1958 and went on to travel the world collecting the wisdom and experiences that he would eventually share with us all.

Cecil worked for Chrysler for 39 years until he retired in 1997.  During his time at Chrysler, he met Barbara Stephanson Thomas, and they wed in 1959. They had one daughter, Tracey Thomas, before Barbara passed in 1974. Many years later, Cecil was fortunate to find a second love of a lifetime when he met Katherine Stokes and married again. They lived a wonderful life until she passed in 2003.

If you knew Cecil, you knew he could not pass up a good slice of sweet potato pie and that he loved a good party. If you knew Cecil, you knew he was a proud member of the Masonic Order. He was involved in several houses: Past Master of the Phoenix Lodge #112, Sublime Prime of the Bezaleel Consistory #15, Past Potentate of the Al Kaf Temple #109, Companion Royal Arch Mason of the Zerubbabel Chapter #40, and Sir Knight of the Golgotha Commandery #36. If you knew Cecil, you knew he loved fish; he loved to watch them in beautiful tanks, catch them, and eat them – he especially liked fried catfish.

Cecil was good for a laugh and a word of wisdom, and he would give you an honest answer whether you wanted one or not. He only came one way: straight, no chaser. “If you talk the talk, then walk the walk,” “This will hurt me more than it hurts you,” and “Mamma may have, Papa may have, but God bless the child that has his own.” This is what he taught us, and this is how he lived. Cecil’s love was tough, but his love was true, and it was strong.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Katie L. Thomas; his two sisters, Joanne and Cheyenne; his wives, Barbara Stephanson Thomas and Katherine Stokes Thomas; and his daughter-in-law, Kay.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Tracey Thomas; grandson he helped raise since birth and was an integral father figure in advising him, providing for him, and molding him to become the man he is today, Virgil Thomas (Kimberly Thomas). Cecil referred to Virgil as his own son, and during his time of illness and until the end, Virgil stepped in as a son should. He helped care for him in any way needed being his caretaker, his confidant, and his companion. Their connection runs deep, and Cecil will forever be known as Virgil’s dad.

Cecil also leaves behind his daughters, Stephanie Stephanson Hopkins, and Rosanne Betts; and his four sons, Rafael, Kenny, Keith (Bunny), and Frank; great-grandson, Tristen; great-granddaughters, Montana, K’Jae, and Ty’Vayah Thomas (who he referred to as “Little Momma”); his great-great granddaughters, Zuryah, and Khloe; his great-great grandson, Malik; a host of additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as an immense number of nieces, nephews, and friends; his right hand man and best friend whom he loved like a son, Daryll McMullen; and last but certainly not least, his caregiver, Sandra Clepper; Even though she herself struggled with health issues, she made caring for Cecil a priority in her life and did so like she was his daughter, and he loved her as such. Throughout his circumstances, Sandra could always make Cecil laugh.

Although Cecil departed this earth Saturday, February 4, 2023, his words, love, memory will live with us forever.