Richard G. Thomas

Richard G. Thomas, 77, of Hughesville, died Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Gatehouse.

Born Nov. 24, 1936, in Williamsport, he was a son of the late George M. and Reba E. Marcus Thomas. He and his wife, the former Karlda M. Boston, celebrated 29 years of marriage on Feb. 9, 2014.

Dick was a graduate of Williamsport High School, Class of 1954. He attended Lycoming College and graduated from the former Eckel’s College of Mortuary Science in 1962. Following his graduation, he returned home to Williamsport and was employed with the former Knight Funeral Home for eight years. On July 1, 1972, Dick joined the Gordon D. McCarty Funeral Home, Hughesville, as a partner, thereby forming the McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home.

For over 35 years Dick dedicated his life to serving the families of Hughesville and the surrounding communities. Until his retirement in 2007, Dick remained active in all aspects of funeral service. He was a life member of Central Pennsylvania Funeral Directors, with over 50 years of continued service, and served as president from 1987 to 1988.

Dick served on the Muncy Valley Hospital Board of Directors for 13 years. He was a 50 year member and past master of Lodge 106, F. & A. M., Williamsport, the Hughesville Rotary, where he served as past president from 1999 to 2000, and served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He enjoyed woodworking, golfing, hunting at Little Mountaineer Lodge, and photographing wildlife.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Dr. Karen L. (Orville) Brown, of Bellefonte; two sons, Kenneth G. Thomas, of Hughesville and Gary E. (Kiesha) Bower, of Muncy; and five grandchildren, William Brown, Cody Beaver, Mason Thomas, Olivia Bower and Jackson Bower.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Melvin Thomas.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. last Friday at the McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 557 E. Water St., Hughesville, with Rev. Jack Delaney, Rev. Michael Miosi and David Fishel, Chaplain of Susquehanna Health, officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hughesville, with graveside military honors accorded by combined veterans organizations. Friends called from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

The family provided the flowers and suggest memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.mccartythomas.com.