Andrew Richard (Dick) Thomas

Andrew Richard (Dick) Thomas passed away peacefully on November 23, 2023. He was surrounded by family in his final hours. We mourn the loss of our family's leader, and at the same time celebrate his love and loyalty that made this strong family possible.

Born January 27, 1934, Dick was the only child to Alva and Gertrude (Faye) Thomas. The Thomases were farming families since immigrating from Wales over two-hundred years earlier. Dick's childhood was defined by the land and the crops and animals they raised on the Grubb Road farm in Lima, Ohio. Dick did not stay on the farm, but his sensitivity to the rhythm of growing things and his deep love of animals stayed with him until his last day.

Dick left the farm to attend The Ohio State University in 1952 where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity. He was an officer in the United States Army artillery in 1958 and was later recalled into active service during the Cuban missile crisis in 1961. For a time, his service obligations separated Dick from his "pin mate" from Ohio State, Ruthann Stanfield, but in time they were rejoined and were married in December 1958.

In the decades of his professional life that followed, Dick enjoyed success as co-founder of Seguin-Thomas & Company, a commercial real estate company located in Columbus, Ohio. He was the founding member of the International Tenant Representation Institute, board member of Ohio's Development Financing Commission, member of the Institute of Real Estate Management, as well as several local, state, and national organizations. Dick's professional success had its roots in the simple virtues of farm life. He rose early and worked hard, accepted responsibility, and treated everyone with respect.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife Ruthann (Stanfield) Thomas and their three children: daughter Tracy Allison (Thomas) Dawkins, son Gregory Andrew Thomas, and daughter Andrea Lynn Thomas. He is further survived by six grandchildren: Tara Loren Dawkins and Devin Thomas Dawkins, children of Tracy and Daniel Dawkins; Tristen Michael Rose and Andrew Martin (Drew) Thomas, children of Greg and Sharla Thomas; and Julia Christine Leet and Caroline Jae Leet, children of Andrea Thomas and Timothy Leet.

We would say more about Dick's abundant life (e.g., his love of wheaten terriers, the perfect tomato, too much pepper, that shabby gym bag, his unwavering devotion to the Browns, Cavs, Reds, and Buckeyes, and his legacy of red geraniums scattered all over Franklin County, to name just a few) but in his final instructions he wrote"...I would prefer a less flowery account of my life and avoidance of 'filler' just to expand the column." For those who knew Dick, this nicely captures both his humor and humility. He went on to say, "Try not to be too sad...I had a great time on this old earth and could not have wished for a better wife, family and friends."

There will be no public memorial service at this time. If the passing of Dick Thomas has moved you and you wish to honor him in some fashion, donations can be made in his name to the Nature Conservancy. Better still, plant a new bed of flowers next spring or rescue a dog. Either would make him very happy.