H.C. “Jake” Thomas

HARLETH CLAIR “JAKE” THOMAS passed away on May 22, 2020 three days before his 100th birthday, beloved husband for 70 years of the late Dorothy (nee Wilkinson); loving father of Claire Schucard (husband James, deceased) Son-in-Law Val Sr.; devoted grandfather of Thomas (deceased)(wife Amy), Timothy (wife Ervina), Val Jr. and Joseph (fiancé Kimberly Lucas) and great grandfather of Taylor Anderson (husband Ian), Michael, Liliana Mae and Jacob; cherished son of the late Edward and Alice; preceded in death by siblings Irene, Edward, Clifford, Evelyn and Winola; dear uncle, great uncle and friend of many.

Harleth “Jake” Thomas was born in Mount Pleasant PA on May 25, 1920 and passed away on May 22, 2020, three days before celebrating his 100^th birthday. Jake adored his wife Dorothy. They were the perfect example of true love and spent seventy wonderful years together. They lived most of their life together in Cleveland Ohio where they raised their beloved daughter Claire. He and Dorothy retired and moved to Fort Myers, Florida from 1990-2012 where they were parishioners at Church of the Cross and devoted members of Teen Challenge Christian Youth Organization. Jake was a proud WWII US Army Air Corp Veteran and was a Freemason at Forest Hill Lodge, now Eastgate Lodge 796 F&A.M. He worked for the Wall Street Journal, the Cleveland Press, and the Plain Dealer as a type setter. Jake enjoyed listening to rag time music and Christian hymns. He loved playing golf, bowling, rehabbing cars and always had a jigsaw puzzle to work on. Jake was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Cleveland Browns, Indians and Cavs. He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan and followed all their sports. Jake was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. For the last eight years of his life he lived with his grandson Joe. Jake will be remembered most as a funny, witty and humble man who was truly selfless and gave to many. He will forever be missed.

WWII U.S. Army Air Corp Veteran. Contributions may be made in memory of Jake to Teen Challenge P.O. Box 60802 Fort Myers, FL 33906. Celebration of Life Service Friday June 5, 2020 at 11 AM at THE FUNERAL HOME. Burial following with Military Honors at Acacia. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Jake at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) ­­­­FRIDAY 10-11 AM.