Amos Paul Thomas

Amos Paul Thomas, 93, passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2023.

He was born at Vermillion County Hospital in Clinton on March 16, 1930 to Joseph James and Madge Hazel (Gross) Thomas.

Amos grew up in Rockville and graduated from Rockville High School in 1948. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington, graduating in 1952 with a degree in government and history. He played trombone in the Marching Hundred band. He also joined Advanced ROTC, which then led him to serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in Alaska during the Korean War. After his service, he completed his law degree at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Amos then moved to Brazil and practiced law with his brother, John Thomas. The law firm of Thomas & Thomas eventually added Edward Pease, Andrew Thomas and David Thomas as partners. After 65 years of practicing law, Amos retired in 2021 at age 91. He specialized in estate planning and enjoyed working with his clients throughout the years, many of whom were from Clay, Parke and Putnam counties.

Throughout the years Amos contributed much to his community. He was a member of the Brazil Rotary Club, where he enjoyed participating in the Fourth of July celebration. He had 64 years of perfect attendance at weekly Rotary meetings. He also led a Rotary Youth Exchange program on a trip to Wales. Amos was a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Indiana legislature from 2006-08. In 2016, Amos received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from the governor of Indiana for distinguished service to the state of Indiana. He recently participated in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., as a Korean War veteran.

Family and church were extremely important to Amos. He married Mary Elizabeth Griswold on Dec. 23, 1956. They were fortunate to have 49 wonderful years together before her passing in 2006. Amos and Mary had six children. His priority was his family; he seldom missed his children’s events. A man of faith and prayer, he was an active member of the United Methodist Church.

He loved to travel and give family and others opportunities to experience different cultures. Amos and Mary visited 48 U.S. states, Canada and 15 countries in western Europe. In the 1990s, he and Mary were leaders of charter bus trips throughout the west with foreign exchange students from 22 different countries.

Amos kept active with personal hobbies. He competed in harness horse racing. He enjoyed making cider and giving apples away from his orchard of over 100 fruit trees. Artistically and musically, he was adept in drawing, oil painting, playing mandolin and singing. Daily, he read four-to-six newspapers, which kept him in touch with local and world news. He became an avid touring bicyclist in his mid-50s until his mid-80s. One of his favorite pastimes was watching movies, plays and musicals.

Amos had a positive outlook on life and a great sense of humor. As was his nature to offer advice, he leaves us with these words: “Lead a life of serving others; remember how fortunate you are to live in this great country; and treat others like you would like to be treated.” He always said, “I’ll sleep when I die.” For once he can sleep and rest in peace.

Amos was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Griswold-Thomas; son Mark Thomas M.D.; brothers John, Henry, Noel; and sister Mary Jane Landis.

On Dec. 27, 2008, Amos married Betty McFarland, and they were blessed with 14 years of marriage. They enjoyed church, community and family activities. Betty preceded Amos in death on Aug. 21, 2023. He is survived by Betty’s children, Richard, Rebecca, Beverly, Barbara and Rhonda.

Amos is survived by his children, Amy (Brad) Miller, Andrew Thomas, David (Lea) Thomas, Mark’s widow Jean Thomas, Nancy (Frank) VanAllen and Benjamin (Susan) Thomas. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren, Casey, Courtney, Hillary, Mitchell, Sarah, Allison, Stephen, Joseph, Abigail, Christopher, Elizabeth and Jessica; and his three great-grandchildren, Liam, Harper and Wren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 22 from 4-7 p.m. at Lawson-Miller Chapel at 1702 E. National Ave, Brazil. A funeral will be held Saturday, Dec. 23 at Brazil First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Meridian St., Brazil, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. and funeral at 11 a.m. Military honors and interment will follow at Clearview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Clay County YMCA or to a local charity of choice.