Paul Thomas, 91, died on July 13, 2022 at the Allied Services Hospice Center in Scranton. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Marge (Walsh) Thomas.
Paul was born July 5, 1931 to the late Paul and Mabel Thomas. Though beloved by his later-adopted communities in Clarks Green and Lake Winola, Paul was a West Sider at heart. He met his wife Marge at West Scranton High School, and they raised their three children in West Side. A former standout athlete for the Invaders’ football, baseball, and basketball programs, Paul passed on his competitive spirit and love of sports to his children and grandchildren.
Paul was a great—and more importantly, good—businessman. He owned two Ford dealerships, Gateway Ford in Tunkhannock and Montrose Motors in Montrose. He was a fixture in both places, where he was known for his generosity and loyal friendship. Honest and hardworking, Paul had numerous customers who bought their cars exclusively from him for decades—many even after moving out of state.
Paul was devoted to his family and spent his life building a solid foundation that continues to support and sustain his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Physically, this foundation is best exemplified by Paul and Marge’s summer home at Lake Winola, which has been the source of countless happy memories for generations of Thomas kids (and their many friends, who were always welcomed with open arms). This foundation is even better represented, however, by Paul and Marge’s happy marriage of nearly 72 years. Their marriage was at the heart of the warm, fun-filled home they created for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It also set an example for all of them on how loving your family is key to a joyful and meaningful life.
Paul is survived by his three children, Sandy and her husband Denny McGraw of Clarks Green, Paul and his wife Cheryl of Naples, Fla., and Doug and his wife Cheryl of Tunkhannock. Paul is also survived by eight grandchildren, Lauren (McGraw) Abel, Kelly (Thomas) Niebrugge, Courtney (McGraw) Healy, Austin Thomas, Cara (Thomas) O’Malley, Kirby (Thomas) West, Tori Thomas, and Douglas Thomas, as well as twelve great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, June Neary and Dale Lewis, and a brother, Don Thomas.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 6:30pm in the Jackson Street Baptist Church 1206 Jackson Street, Scranton by Rev. Dr. Elliott Cooke.
Friends and family may call Friday from 4:30pm until 6:25pm in the church.
Interment, private in Clarks Green Cemetery.
Judy and Rich Senker
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. He was a great man and neighbor. We send our sincere condolences.
Judy and Rich Senker
Nancy McGough
Mrs. Thomas and family please accept our sincere condolences. Our family always knew Paul as a gentleman. Our neiborhood at the lake will never be the same with the passing of Paul. God Bless you and family.
Jim and Nancy McGough and family
Charlie and MaryEllen Gibbs
Our condolences to the family in this time of sorrow. Paul was a wonderful man. Our hearts are broken. May he Rest In Peace. Prayers for all the Thomas family. ??❤️
Jerry Neary
Whether an afterlife transcendence is a matter of Spirit ( the energy in back of manifestation ) or a matter of Soul ( the legacy of a man ) is irrelevant in the the life of Paul Thomas . Both Spirit and Soul are that of love, generosity, compassion, and kindness. The love he shared with everyone will be with all that he leaves behind.
Sherry Edmondson Forgione
To the Thomas family,
We are so saddened to hear of Paul’s passing. So many memories come to mind from being neighbors & friends on West Elm Street for so many years, attending West Scranton High School & rides up to Tunkhannock to his dealership to buy our cars. Paul was a kind spirit, a tall but gentle man & a great friend. May God bless your family always. RIP Paul you will never be forgotten.
Bob Edmondson & family
James Griffiths
Sorry to read about your dad. Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you remember your dad who was so close to you. Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Jack walsh
Mr. Paul Thomas,
My Uncle Paul was a Great Man to emulate . He deeply Loved his Wife, his Family and his Lord. The love he carried inside for them shown through in every person he met. It is great to have love inside you for your family But it is a special person like him who could shower others with that love.
He set out from the start knowing his love for my Aunt Marge, his faith in God and hard work would shine though . Long hard hours but mostly his love, care and understanding of everyone who walked into his life , set him aside from us mortals. And all could see and feel his love for his family. As an nephew , he was always quietly there for me. I never had to ask, and always knew he would be there if i needed him. As a young lad he would take the time to teach me how to grip and throw a football correctly . I never asked , he just provided leadership without any fanfare. As a young teenager he asked me to drive cars he had bought, back to his dealership. One time we had to fly to New York to pick up cars to drive back, and he took me on my first airplane ride. This may not seem like much today !!!! But in my world at the time, a plane ride was something as remotely possible as me going on a rocket ship to Mars tomorrow !! And New York was only a place you heard about , never dreaming you could possibly go that far from Scranton ! As i looked out the plane window , I’m sure the astronauts felt the same way looking down from space at our earth. Then the engine caught on fire !! Uncle Paul assured me we were okay and in God’s hands, no worries. That is when i knew we were truly in God’s hands, and always will be. He helped me out several times with car deals and maintenance, he helped my son buy his first new car. Always quiet and discrete, behind the scenes. He loaned us a car for our Wedding, and for my In -Laws 50th Wedding Anniversary. For our 50th Anniversary both my Aunt Marge and him attended when they were both in great deal of pain. Always discrete and behind the scenes as a gift giver at weddings , graduations, after my first heart attack and the news that i would never work again, he was there to provide support.
My Uncle Paul was a Man of Great Faith, in Love for his Marge, his Family and Others. Truly someone to Emulate.
Carol and Harold Schaffer
We were sorry to read of Paul’s passing. He was a great man and generous person and we always felt like family. We enjoyed seeing him and your mom at different functions. We will keep him in or thoughts and prayers.
Kathleen and Darrell Drake
We are so sorry to hear that Uncle Paul passed away. He, Aunt Marge, and all the family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Marilou Williams Blickens
I am so sad to hear about Mr. Thomas’s passing. He was a wonderful person and true friend to everyone. I will never forget him and all the kind things he did for me as well as my family. We were a Ford Family all the way when I was growing up. Mr. Thomas was a household name!! It was an enjoyable experience every time to visit him in Tunkhannock, whether we needed a car or just wanted to go for a ride and have a friendly visit. Mr. Thomas was so thoughtful and generous; one in a million. Since childhood I have been one of the lucky ones to have enjoyed his family and home in West Scranton as well as Lake Winola. Lots of great memories. My love and condolences to Mrs. Thomas, Sandy, Paul, Doug and all your families. Sincerely Marilou Williams
Frank & Amy Stabinski
To Marge and Family,
We are deeply saddened by Paul’s passing and offer our sincerest sympathy to you, the family of a wonderful man. He was a great family man, businessman and friend. He was the best.
When Paul Thomas told you something, you could “take it to the bank”. His handshake was his bond. Highest integrity.
We will always remember the chats,..light, funny, serious and always a pleasure. He always had time for you; and made you feel good, regardless of how he felt.
Marge, may God Bless, and give all of you comfort and peace, in knowing that Paul is now in heaven watching over you.
He will be missed and not forgotten. Rest in peace.
Frank & Amy Stabinski
Linda Lunger
Hi Thomas family, I have such great memories of your dad! I remember these words. Linda pick up! What’s for Lunch and who are these people in the show room? He was respectfully know as my chief. No one else’s! I miss him and love him.
Linda Lunger
Hi Thomas family, so sorry for your loss. Words can’t say enough. I have so many great memories about your dad. Also know as my chief. I will remember him always! Wow how lucky was I to have been a member of the Gateway Ford team.
JOHN WRIGHT
To MRS. THOMAS, SANDY PAUL AND DOUG. My deepest sympathy for your loss, MR.THOMAS was a fine man, i often reflect upon some of my earliest memories and the kindness of the THOMAS family who always had time for my late brother and I as we tagged along in their COUNTRY SQUIRE to the farm in DALTON or lake Winola. Deepest Regards
Carl Davies
I love you uncle Paul.