Earl M. Thomas

Earl Marion Thomas, Jr, joined his bride, Deletha “Dee” Johnston (1938-2015) on December 30, 2025, in Tipton, Indiana. Earl was born April 1, 1935 in Washington, DC to Earl and Bettie (Zinsmeister) Thomas, and moved to Indiana in 1943. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. After high school he joined the Army National Guard 38th Infantry Division, Artillery unit. While on training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, he met his bride Dee and they married in Dec. 1957. They lived in Indianapolis and Kokomo, and built their home in Tipton County. They were blessed with four children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

In 1955, Earl started working at the Allison Division in Indianapolis, and later transferred to Kokomo to work in the Delco Electronics (General Motors) Division in the drafting division, retiring in 1997. After retirement Earl and Dee enjoyed time with the family and traveled across the United States and abroad.

Outside of work, Earl was very active in the community. He was a member of the Goldsmith UMC until it closed, and then attended Tetersburg Christian Church and Kemp UMC, Tipton. He attended Indiana University of Kokomo. Earl was an active member of the Lions Club since 1991, holding several officers’ positions. He was named a Lions Melvin Jones Fellow for 1996-1997.

He was also involved with the Tipton County Historical Society, Tetersburg Cemetery Board, Tipton County Recycling, a precinct committee member for several years, and supported the Kempton Volunteer Fire Department and the Tipton County Humane Society.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Earl Thomas and Bettie (Zinsmeister) Thomas, his wife Deletha “Dee” Thomas, and their son, Eric Thomas.

He is survived by his three daughters Debra Thomas Barker and husband Cary, Indianapolis, Diane Thomas Speer and husband Doug, Tipton, and Deletha Thomas Boyd and husband Michael, Chandler, Arizona; his grandchildren Charles Sullivan IV, Erinn Sullivan, Rachel Speer, Ryan Speer and wife Kelli, Samantha Boyd, and Andrew Boyd; and his great-grandchildren Athena Gendren, Ares Gendren, and Apollo Gendren; his sister Betty Jo Watson, Greenfield, and brother Clyde Thomas and wife Jacque, Eugene, Oregon; brother-in-law Melvin Johnston, Fargo, Oklahoma and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his Danish daughter, Mia Hansen Andersen, husband Rene and family.

Private funeral services will be held for the family later and Earl will be buried in Tetersburg Cemetery beside Dee and Eric. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Thomas family at this time. Online condolences may be left on Earl’s obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Tipton Historical Society, 323 West South Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 or at https://tiptonhistorical.com/donate/) and the Tetersburg Cemetery Board, C/O Julie Miller, 6928 W. State Road 28, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.