Obituary of John W. Thomas

John W. Thomas, Sr., 68, of Benton Harbor, was called home on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born on June 26, 1949 in Montgomery, Alabama to the late Charlie Thomas and Pearlie Lee (Duncan) Channey. John worked as a bridge operator for the State of Michigan for many years. He was also employed at the Benton Harbor Area Schools as well as Chet Nichols. He was a member of Refreshing Fountains Church in Benton Harbor. On April 13, 2004, John married Bernice Bynum in South Bend, Indiana; combining their families with love. He was active for many years in the Benton Harbor Volunteer Patrol, a member of the board of Neighborhood Association of Michigan, a member of the Masonic Lodge as well as serving his community in any way possible. He enjoyed fishing, time on his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, landscaping but mostly valued time spent with his family and friends. He was a wonderful husband and father and many kids called him PaPa. John is preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Jeanette Brown and Tia Brown. He is survived by his wife, Bernice Thomas of Benton Harbor, sons; Milo Burton, John Thomas, Jr., Eric Thomas, Jonathan Thomas, James Cunegin Trent Ferguson and Charral Jones daughters; Aretha Sango, Roxanne Thomas, Sherry Stoutmiles, Zikeia Ferguson, Denise Mathison and a God-daughter, Donna Bowens. He also leaves to cherish his memory nineteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, his siblings; Charlie (Willbea) Thomas, Jimmie (Michelle) Thomas, Robert (Sandra) Channey, Anthony (Beverly) Channey, Roy Channey, Sherry (Stanley) Luperchio, Anthony Brown, Charlene Brown, Hattie Brown and LaTonya Brown, as well as a host of countless other family members and friends, whose lives were touched by John. Funeral services will be Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a time of visitation one hour prior. Interment services will take place, following the funeral, at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, with Full Military Honors at 2:30 p.m. by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the American Cancer Society or any of the local organizations he was passionate in serving.