James W. “Windy” Thomas
James W. “Windy” Thomas, 80 of Tipton passed away at 10:02 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at The Waters of Tipton (formerly Miller’s Merry Manor). He was born in Rector, Arkansas to the late Sidney & Zelma (Rhew) Thomas. Windy grew up in Pontiac, Michigan and moved to Converse with his family in 1957.
He was a member of the first graduating class at Oak Hill High School in 1960 and then graduated from Indiana University in 1965. Windy married Sheryl “Sherry” Rennaker on December 20, 1964 and they celebrated almost 58 years of marriage.
He was employed at Ford Motor Company in Lorain, Ohio and in Denver, Colorado as a sales manager. Windy returned to Converse and worked as a car salesman at Graham Ford and eventually became a partner in the business until retiring in 2001. He and Sherry moved to Tipton in 2016 where he had ownership involvement in Tipton Ford. Windy and Sherry quickly became members of the Oasis Community Church family. He also served on First Farmers Bank and Trust Board of Directors for many years.
Windy loved softball, NASCAR, quail hunting, golfing and visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was witty and full of jokes – he loved to make people laugh. Of course his favorite interest was his children and grandchildren and their activities.
Survivors besides his wife Sherry include two sons, Jon Eric Thomas I and wife Mary Jane of Bullhead City, Arizona and James “Alan” Thomas and wife Lisa of Athens, Georgia; five grand-children, Jon Thomas II, Alex Thomas, Mara Thomas, Izzy and Captain; one sister, Laredda Bolton of Florida. He was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Beckley and her husband Delmar “Peck” Beckley; one brother-in-law, Carl Bolton.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21 at Oasis Community Church in Tipton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the Thomas family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial donations be made to Oasis Community Church, 600 Fairgrounds Road, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 or Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204 or American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 750, Merrifield, Virginia, 22116.
Dear Sherry, our friendship goes back to our school days and becoming great friends in high school. I was saddened when I saw Windy has passed away and thankful during our last visit that he was home and could take pictures for us. He did have a great sense of humor and will be sorely missed. Thinking of you and your family and wishing I wasn’t so many miles away.
You are in my prayers for peace and comfort.
Lynn Pratt
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Dear Sherry, Was so sad to hear of Windy’s passing…remember some fun times with the two of you when we were so young many years ago. Thinking of you & Family ! Hope you remember me.
Marilyn Watts
Swayzee
My thoughts are prayers go out to you and family .Many fond memories of Windy coaching us baseball. And the times at the Gram .
A lot of great memories with Windy, Sherry and the boys. Graham Ford softball games/parties. Converse United Methodist Church, especially the breakfasts! Sports, mopeds, go carts, backyard banis ball, football, baseball and so much more enabled by Windy and Sherry. A great legacy left with Alan and Jon! Always positive and happy and surrounded by “community.” Those times are missed and perhaps what is missing with America these days, strong local communities with great leaders! RIP Mr. Thomas!
Thank you very much for your comments and memories. We all have a lot of good ones living in this little old town where everyone was friendly and we actually cared for each other. . “HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023 “. To each of you.