Arthur LeRoy Thomas passed away at his home in North Salem on July 29, 2024 surrounded by his family.
Art was born January 8, 1946 to the late William E. and Ruth A. (Smiley) Thomas at their home in Clermont Indiana. Bill and Ruth worked for Dr. Johnson farming until he sold the acreage to the town of Speedway and part of it was used to build what is now known as the Eagle Creek Dam. They enjoyed life on their farm in Clermont.
In 1959 Dr. Johnson bought property called the Estherville farm South of North Salem 2 miles at the corner of 500 and SR 236. It was then that Art started attending North Salem School and met this quiet shy young girl named Joyce K. Frazier. It wasn’t long that Bill and Ruth found a house and dairy farm of their own to buy on Ladoga Rd. They were active members of the 4H Community in Marion and in Hendricks County. Ruth worked at the Purdue Extension office in Hendricks County and was an avid gardener, so the 4H fair time was a highlight of the year for them.
Uncle Sam came calling in 1965, when Art was drafted into the Army October 21, 1965. He was stationed in Korea just South of the DMZ. Art quickly gained rank as he followed the advice given to him about the military, “Stay in the middle, do as you’re told and don’t volunteer for anything!” He missed Joyce and they were engaged to be married. He was trained in Infantry and heavy artillery and discharged as an E-5 Sergeant on February 22, 1967.
In 1967 on May 28th Art married the girl of his dreams Joyce K. Frazier and they began life together. In 1971 they welcomed a little boy into their lives named, Gary W. Thomas. They began looking for their own farm and in 1972, they purchased the Jean and Flora Ratliff farm on Ladoga Rd. Tragedy struck their family when Art’s dad, Bill, had a sudden heart attack and died at the barn in 1975. Ruth was left with a farm to take care of and a broken heart to heal. Just a few short months later they had a little girl, Anita D. Thomas and their family was complete.
Art began to feel the calling to want to serve the Lord as a Pastor. He sought the Lord and God opened doors for him to have a congregation in Jamestown and they were a fabulous group of people at Harvestime Fellowship. He Pastored, in total, from 1983-2023. During his time as Pastor, he took mission trips to Mexico and 3 trips to Peru South America, where he fell in love with this country and its people. He once said if he lived anywhere other than North Salem it would be in Peru, South America, to which Joyce replied, “You would be living there alone, because I don’t feel called to move there!” He has united many couples in marriage and given comfort to hundreds of families during moments of grief. A Pastor that is called is a Pastor that cares about others. He does not seek monetary gain. Little is much when God is in it. Labor not for wealth or fame. There’s a crown and you can win it. If you’ll go in Jesus’ name.
Art Thomas is survived by his son, Gary (Luisa) Thomas, daughter Anita Pearman, grandsons Thomas, Jacob and Samuel Pearman, step- grandchildren and step-great grandchildren, many nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews and a flock of Godly sheep who have lost their earthly shepherd that loved them dearly. He was preceded in death by his brother Pete Thomas and his wife.
There will be calling at Calvary Chapel of Danville, 2165 E. Main St., Danville, IN 46122, on Thursday, Aug. 1, from 2-7 p.m. The funeral service will be Friday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. at the Church. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in North Salem, IN.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the Calvary Chapel of Danville, 2165 E Main St., Danville, IN 46122 or to the Charity Church, 2700 S Tibbs Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46241.
