M. A. (Mat) Thomas

Mat Thomas, age 95, of Alliance passed away, Sunday, March 29, 2015, at his home.
He was born May 14, 1919, in Tuttle, North Dakota, to John W. and Emma (Bair) Thomas.
After graduating from Eichelberger High School in Hanover, Pennsylvania, he went on to earn a Civil and Structural Engineering Degree from Drexel University in 1943. That same year, he married Ruth R. Varnadore and they moved their family to Alliance in 1954. Mat continued his education by earning Associate degrees in electrical, mechanical and electronic engineering, two of which he earned when he was in his sixties.
He retired from Alliance Machine Company as Plant Engineer in 1986. Mat began working again at Calderon Energy Company in 1989. He continued to work full time until he was 90 and was still attending Stark State for classes at 92. He was a Master Mason for 65 years and a life member of the National Rifle Association, the Canton McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club and the Alliance Amateur Radio Club. He enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Clinton Band, Stark County Community Jazz Band, and a small quartet with Kathy, Dick and Ron. Mat was also a faithful member of the Southside Church of God.
He is survived by four children, David R. (Debbie) Thomas of Wilmington, Ohio and Sandy (Jeff) Citino, Becky (Fred) Sines and Sami (Perry) Bowlin, all of Alliance; eight grandchildren, Jill (Jeff Donovan) Price, John (Diana) Oyster, Jacob Cox, Sara (Josh) Gelter, Amanda Thomas, Andrea (Mike) Williams, Kate Thomas and Danielle Bowlin; and five great-grandchildren, Savannah Herald, Brennan and Lauren Price, and Mati and Maxx Williams. Mat is also survived by numerous extended family, friends and his loving caregivers, Kerri, Rose, Mary, Victoria, Kerri B., Katie and Robin to whom we will be forever grateful for the excellent care they provided him. His family would also like to express their gratitude to Jaime and the other Alliance Hospice Nurses.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Ruth (Varnadore) Thomas, his loving wife of 65 years; and his grandson, Ernie Cox.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home. Graveside services are to be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alliance Hospice, 885 S. Sawburg Rd. Suite 106, Alliance, OH 44601.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601.