Gordon Edward Thomas

Went to be with the Lord, Friday morning, June 12, 2020. Gordon was born November 14, 1930 in Chicago, IL a twin son of the late Arthur and Effie Thomas. He grew up in Saugatuck, MI, attended Hope College where he met Jeananne Bondhouse. They were married on April 17, 1954 in Kalamazoo, MI and she preceded him in death after 63 years of marriage. Their first two years of marriage were spent in Cuba where he served in the US Navy. They began their family while in Cuba with the birth of their first daughter. They returned to Kalamazoo, where he became a teacher for the Kalamazoo Public Schools, teaching for 38 ½ years, retiring in 1994. His pastimes in retirement were woodworking and traveling the US, often by train. Surviving are children, Lynn Thomas, Sharon (Fred) Schlemmer, Gretchen Thomas, John (Christina) Thomas, William (Jennifer) Thomas; 7 grandchildren, Julianna and Adrianna Schlemmer, Abigail, Allison, Hillary, Brian, and Trevor Thomas; his twin brother, Gayle Thomas and sister, Shirley (Cornelius) Hegewald; and many nieces and nephews. Gordon was preceded in death by his siblings Delores, Barbara, Lois, Donald, Arthur Russell, Clifton, and Roberta. Private graveside services will be held in Fort Custer National Cemetery with Rev. Fritz Kruithof officiating. Memorials may be directed to The Salvation Army. Services entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. To view Gordon's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com