Dr. Arnold Ray Thomas
Died: March 2, 2008
Dr. Arnold Ray Thomas, 94, of Greeneville, retired emeritus professor of music at Tusculum College, died Sunday morning at Life Care Center of Greeneville.
In addition to his service for 25 years as a member of the Tusculum faculty, Dr. Thomas was a widely known figure in community musical events from the mid-1960s through the 1990s.
His family provided the following statement:
"He was born in Providence, Ky., on Aug. 27, 1913, the first of three sons, to Elzie and Neva Thomas. His father was a coal miner and later an inventor and entrepreneur of such things as glass cleaner and car polish.
"They moved to Eldorado, Ill., where young 'Arnold Ray,' as the family called him, was often with his beloved paternal 'Granny Thomas' or her daughter, Mendozen. Once or twice, Granny and Arnold Ray even schemed to hop the train and play hookey from school to visit nearby Harrisburg, Ill. ... until 'Maw' caught on and brought that mischievousness to a screeching halt.
"Arnold completed high school in Eldorado, finding and developing an interest in instrumental, choral, and piano music. By the age of 12, he was playing and singing for funerals.
"He received his bachelor of music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington in 1938. Subsequently, he went on to teach band and choral music at Mount Morris and other Illinois public schools.
"He joined the National Guard and served with the U.S. Army for five years. After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., he trained new recruits at various sites including Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
"During World War II, he served at the rank of captain in the South Pacific, including the island of New Caledonia, where, as part of the Special Services unit, he planned and organized entertainment for the troops and worked with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and other entertainers.
"When his tour of duty was completed, he settled in Chicago and made his living playing the piano and singing in cocktail lounges and teaching voice. For a short time, he lived in Detroit, where he had a radio program and was known as 'a singer of a thousand songs.'
"After returning to Chicago, he earned his master's of education degree in voice at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1946 and met his future wife, Ruth, who completed her master's degree in piano the same summer.
"He was immediately hired to develop a strong music department at Lake Forest College north of Chicago. So many returning veterans wanted to take piano lessons that he hired Ruth to a part-time position, then to full-time in the newly-organized music department.
"He developed a marching band, a strong music curriculum, and touring musical groups so that music became a viable major. During the summers he was a tour guide for Cartan Tours, often traveling to western Canada.
"Ruth and Arnold were married in the Lake Forest College chapel in 1951 in a joint ceremony performed by both Ruth's father, the Rev. Dr. Edward L. Gibson, of Henry, Ill., and Ruth's brother, the Rev. Dr. William E. Gibson, of Fayetteville, Ark.
"Arnold always held Ed Gibson in the highest esteem as a person of utmost character. On the other hand, Ed , then in his 70s, had not learned to drive until he was 50.
"Arnold enjoyed, as his family heard many times, telling of his experiences in the back seat of Ed's car as they traversed Henry's streets - usually going way too fast. At four-way intersections, the community used drainage dips on all four sides across each street. And if Ed was traveling at 40 miles per hour down the street, he was apt to not even slow to 39 as the car bounced across two dips - and Arnold's head went slamming into the headliner. As Arnold said, 'Whew,' and was he glad to get out of that car.
"In 1951, Mr. Thomas began his studies toward his doctorate at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. He was privileged to work with Dr. James L. Mursell, Lillabelle Pitts, Harry Robert Wilson, and other leaders in music education.
"Arnold continued to teach at Lake Forest College until 1962. By that time he had become the father of three sons. No one was any prouder of those boys than Ruth's mother, Anna Catherine Gibson, of Henry . . .
"By 1962, Arnold had earned his doctorate in music education from Columbia, and soon after, the family moved to the Los Angeles area, where he taught in the music department at Mount Saint Mary's College, both at the downtown facilities and at the satellite campus high in the Brentwood Hills overlooking the city.
"During the first couple of weeks in sunny California, a dear aunt and uncle, Ruth and Bob Goffinet Sr., of San Marino, in the Pasadena area of Los Angeles, 'rescued' the Thomases while they found their first home there.
"Dr. Thomas directed the choir at Pacoima Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley from 1963 to 1964, with wife, Ruth, serving as church organist.
"In the summer of 1964, the Thomas family moved to Greeneville after Dr. Thomas accepted an offer to become professor of music and head of the Department of Fine Arts at Tusculum College.
"He soon built a strong department with the help of Clement Allison in art and David Behan in theatre.
"Arnold was appointed academic dean of the college by President Douglas Trout in 1965 and served in that capacity until 1966. He was instrumental in recruiting 20 new faculty to the college that year from across the country, some of whom would spend much of the rest of their teaching careers at Tusculum College.
"In 1965-66, Nell Douthat was his secretary, during which time they formed a long-term friendship.
"Highlights of 'Doc's' years at the college included the choir and men's chorus. Along with an array of other engagements, the choir performed an annual spring concert at Greene County's Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church, after which church members treated the choir to some of the best food in the world.
"For many years there was a flurry of activity with annual choir tours, concerts at local high schools and churches, student recitals, and graduating music majors.
"A strong leader with great drive and enthusiasm, he became involved with the musical life of Greeneville. He directed a concert of Handel's 'Messiah' at Tusculum College his first year and later a community production of the 'Messiah' involving the college choir and choirs of area churches as well as area soloists.
"In a later season, he directed a community production of Mendelssohn's 'Elijah.'
"Dr. Thomas became director of music at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1967 and served as such until his health began to fail in 2001.
"He was also active in Greeneville's Little Theatre productions. He played lead roles in 'J.B.' and 'Life With Father,' both of which were directed by Greeneville native Louise Orr.
"Arnold was awarded the rank of professor emeritus of music by Tusculum College at his retirement in 1979. In October 2003, the Tusculum College Alumni Association awarded both Dr. and Mrs. Thomas the National Living Faculty Award 'for exemplary professional achievement for memorable teaching, dedication to students, and a love of learning.'
"Dr. Thomas was a voracious reader and loved to travel. In 1982, he and Ruth made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe.
"The following year the couple revisited the West, driving across Canada and circling around through California and Colorado, visiting family and old acquaintances and seeing the country. As long as Arnold was able, he and Ruth were no strangers to the road."
Survivors include: his wife of 56 years: Ruth Thomas; two sons and a daughter-in-law: Jerry Thomas of Greeneville and Bill and Walker Thomas of Berryville, Va.; two granddaughters: Georgia Thomas and Tessa Thomas, both of Berryville; three sisters-in-law: Nancy Thomas of Florida, Valada Thomas of Evansville, and Judy Gibson of New York; special nieces and nephews and their spouses: Wesley Thomas, Larry Thomas, Pam and Bill Crowe, Anna Gibson, Deborah Jaworski, Steven Gibson, and Don Goffinet; a special great-niece: Julie Crowe; a special great-nephew: Tom Crowe; special cousins and her husband: Frances and John Haddan, and Jack Haddan; and a special aunt and uncle: Anna and Jimmy Lawson of Clearwater, Fla.
He was preceded in death by one son. Arnold Ray Thomas Jr.; his parents; and two brothers: Raymond Thomas and Leslie Thomas.
The family received friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jamie Lively, the Rev. Roy Blakeburn, and the Rev. Dan Freeman will officiate.
A committal service will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning in Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Emmett, Marshall Brown, Clem Allison, Casey Nicholson, Harold Andrew, Bernard Sams, and Richard Parrack.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Aspen Wing staff and other staff of Life Care Center of Greeneville, the members of the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Music Department, Cindy Sams, Bobbie Christiansen, Dr. Richard Aasheim, Dr. Robert Locklear, the Rev. Stephen Weisz, Dr. Doug Trout, Dr. Robert Davis, Dr. Donal Sexton, the members of the Smoky Mountain Music Teachers Association, and the "caring, honest, and sympathetic" staff of Caris Health Care of Johnson City.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101; or to the Music Department, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, c/o Cindy Sams, 201 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN 37745.
Died: March 2, 2008
Dr. Arnold Ray Thomas, 94, of Greeneville, retired emeritus professor of music at Tusculum College, died Sunday morning at Life Care Center of Greeneville.
In addition to his service for 25 years as a member of the Tusculum faculty, Dr. Thomas was a widely known figure in community musical events from the mid-1960s through the 1990s.
His family provided the following statement:
"He was born in Providence, Ky., on Aug. 27, 1913, the first of three sons, to Elzie and Neva Thomas. His father was a coal miner and later an inventor and entrepreneur of such things as glass cleaner and car polish.
"They moved to Eldorado, Ill., where young 'Arnold Ray,' as the family called him, was often with his beloved paternal 'Granny Thomas' or her daughter, Mendozen. Once or twice, Granny and Arnold Ray even schemed to hop the train and play hookey from school to visit nearby Harrisburg, Ill. ... until 'Maw' caught on and brought that mischievousness to a screeching halt.
"Arnold completed high school in Eldorado, finding and developing an interest in instrumental, choral, and piano music. By the age of 12, he was playing and singing for funerals.
"He received his bachelor of music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington in 1938. Subsequently, he went on to teach band and choral music at Mount Morris and other Illinois public schools.
"He joined the National Guard and served with the U.S. Army for five years. After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., he trained new recruits at various sites including Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
"During World War II, he served at the rank of captain in the South Pacific, including the island of New Caledonia, where, as part of the Special Services unit, he planned and organized entertainment for the troops and worked with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and other entertainers.
"When his tour of duty was completed, he settled in Chicago and made his living playing the piano and singing in cocktail lounges and teaching voice. For a short time, he lived in Detroit, where he had a radio program and was known as 'a singer of a thousand songs.'
"After returning to Chicago, he earned his master's of education degree in voice at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1946 and met his future wife, Ruth, who completed her master's degree in piano the same summer.
"He was immediately hired to develop a strong music department at Lake Forest College north of Chicago. So many returning veterans wanted to take piano lessons that he hired Ruth to a part-time position, then to full-time in the newly-organized music department.
"He developed a marching band, a strong music curriculum, and touring musical groups so that music became a viable major. During the summers he was a tour guide for Cartan Tours, often traveling to western Canada.
"Ruth and Arnold were married in the Lake Forest College chapel in 1951 in a joint ceremony performed by both Ruth's father, the Rev. Dr. Edward L. Gibson, of Henry, Ill., and Ruth's brother, the Rev. Dr. William E. Gibson, of Fayetteville, Ark.
"Arnold always held Ed Gibson in the highest esteem as a person of utmost character. On the other hand, Ed , then in his 70s, had not learned to drive until he was 50.
"Arnold enjoyed, as his family heard many times, telling of his experiences in the back seat of Ed's car as they traversed Henry's streets - usually going way too fast. At four-way intersections, the community used drainage dips on all four sides across each street. And if Ed was traveling at 40 miles per hour down the street, he was apt to not even slow to 39 as the car bounced across two dips - and Arnold's head went slamming into the headliner. As Arnold said, 'Whew,' and was he glad to get out of that car.
"In 1951, Mr. Thomas began his studies toward his doctorate at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. He was privileged to work with Dr. James L. Mursell, Lillabelle Pitts, Harry Robert Wilson, and other leaders in music education.
"Arnold continued to teach at Lake Forest College until 1962. By that time he had become the father of three sons. No one was any prouder of those boys than Ruth's mother, Anna Catherine Gibson, of Henry . . .
"By 1962, Arnold had earned his doctorate in music education from Columbia, and soon after, the family moved to the Los Angeles area, where he taught in the music department at Mount Saint Mary's College, both at the downtown facilities and at the satellite campus high in the Brentwood Hills overlooking the city.
"During the first couple of weeks in sunny California, a dear aunt and uncle, Ruth and Bob Goffinet Sr., of San Marino, in the Pasadena area of Los Angeles, 'rescued' the Thomases while they found their first home there.
"Dr. Thomas directed the choir at Pacoima Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley from 1963 to 1964, with wife, Ruth, serving as church organist.
"In the summer of 1964, the Thomas family moved to Greeneville after Dr. Thomas accepted an offer to become professor of music and head of the Department of Fine Arts at Tusculum College.
"He soon built a strong department with the help of Clement Allison in art and David Behan in theatre.
"Arnold was appointed academic dean of the college by President Douglas Trout in 1965 and served in that capacity until 1966. He was instrumental in recruiting 20 new faculty to the college that year from across the country, some of whom would spend much of the rest of their teaching careers at Tusculum College.
"In 1965-66, Nell Douthat was his secretary, during which time they formed a long-term friendship.
"Highlights of 'Doc's' years at the college included the choir and men's chorus. Along with an array of other engagements, the choir performed an annual spring concert at Greene County's Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church, after which church members treated the choir to some of the best food in the world.
"For many years there was a flurry of activity with annual choir tours, concerts at local high schools and churches, student recitals, and graduating music majors.
"A strong leader with great drive and enthusiasm, he became involved with the musical life of Greeneville. He directed a concert of Handel's 'Messiah' at Tusculum College his first year and later a community production of the 'Messiah' involving the college choir and choirs of area churches as well as area soloists.
"In a later season, he directed a community production of Mendelssohn's 'Elijah.'
"Dr. Thomas became director of music at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1967 and served as such until his health began to fail in 2001.
"He was also active in Greeneville's Little Theatre productions. He played lead roles in 'J.B.' and 'Life With Father,' both of which were directed by Greeneville native Louise Orr.
"Arnold was awarded the rank of professor emeritus of music by Tusculum College at his retirement in 1979. In October 2003, the Tusculum College Alumni Association awarded both Dr. and Mrs. Thomas the National Living Faculty Award 'for exemplary professional achievement for memorable teaching, dedication to students, and a love of learning.'
"Dr. Thomas was a voracious reader and loved to travel. In 1982, he and Ruth made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe.
"The following year the couple revisited the West, driving across Canada and circling around through California and Colorado, visiting family and old acquaintances and seeing the country. As long as Arnold was able, he and Ruth were no strangers to the road."
Survivors include: his wife of 56 years: Ruth Thomas; two sons and a daughter-in-law: Jerry Thomas of Greeneville and Bill and Walker Thomas of Berryville, Va.; two granddaughters: Georgia Thomas and Tessa Thomas, both of Berryville; three sisters-in-law: Nancy Thomas of Florida, Valada Thomas of Evansville, and Judy Gibson of New York; special nieces and nephews and their spouses: Wesley Thomas, Larry Thomas, Pam and Bill Crowe, Anna Gibson, Deborah Jaworski, Steven Gibson, and Don Goffinet; a special great-niece: Julie Crowe; a special great-nephew: Tom Crowe; special cousins and her husband: Frances and John Haddan, and Jack Haddan; and a special aunt and uncle: Anna and Jimmy Lawson of Clearwater, Fla.
He was preceded in death by one son. Arnold Ray Thomas Jr.; his parents; and two brothers: Raymond Thomas and Leslie Thomas.
The family received friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jamie Lively, the Rev. Roy Blakeburn, and the Rev. Dan Freeman will officiate.
A committal service will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning in Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Emmett, Marshall Brown, Clem Allison, Casey Nicholson, Harold Andrew, Bernard Sams, and Richard Parrack.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Aspen Wing staff and other staff of Life Care Center of Greeneville, the members of the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Music Department, Cindy Sams, Bobbie Christiansen, Dr. Richard Aasheim, Dr. Robert Locklear, the Rev. Stephen Weisz, Dr. Doug Trout, Dr. Robert Davis, Dr. Donal Sexton, the members of the Smoky Mountain Music Teachers Association, and the "caring, honest, and sympathetic" staff of Caris Health Care of Johnson City.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101; or to the Music Department, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, c/o Cindy Sams, 201 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN 37745.
Dr. Arnold Ray Thomas
Died: March 2, 2008
Dr. Arnold Ray Thomas, 94, of Greeneville, retired emeritus professor of music at Tusculum College, died Sunday morning at Life Care Center of Greeneville.
In addition to his service for 25 years as a member of the Tusculum faculty, Dr. Thomas was a widely known figure in community musical events from the mid-1960s through the 1990s.
His family provided the following statement:
"He was born in Providence, Ky., on Aug. 27, 1913, the first of three sons, to Elzie and Neva Thomas. His father was a coal miner and later an inventor and entrepreneur of such things as glass cleaner and car polish.
"They moved to Eldorado, Ill., where young 'Arnold Ray,' as the family called him, was often with his beloved paternal 'Granny Thomas' or her daughter, Mendozen. Once or twice, Granny and Arnold Ray even schemed to hop the train and play hookey from school to visit nearby Harrisburg, Ill. ... until 'Maw' caught on and brought that mischievousness to a screeching halt.
"Arnold completed high school in Eldorado, finding and developing an interest in instrumental, choral, and piano music. By the age of 12, he was playing and singing for funerals.
"He received his bachelor of music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington in 1938. Subsequently, he went on to teach band and choral music at Mount Morris and other Illinois public schools.
"He joined the National Guard and served with the U.S. Army for five years. After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., he trained new recruits at various sites including Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
"During World War II, he served at the rank of captain in the South Pacific, including the island of New Caledonia, where, as part of the Special Services unit, he planned and organized entertainment for the troops and worked with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and other entertainers.
"When his tour of duty was completed, he settled in Chicago and made his living playing the piano and singing in cocktail lounges and teaching voice. For a short time, he lived in Detroit, where he had a radio program and was known as 'a singer of a thousand songs.'
"After returning to Chicago, he earned his master's of education degree in voice at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1946 and met his future wife, Ruth, who completed her master's degree in piano the same summer.
"He was immediately hired to develop a strong music department at Lake Forest College north of Chicago. So many returning veterans wanted to take piano lessons that he hired Ruth to a part-time position, then to full-time in the newly-organized music department.
"He developed a marching band, a strong music curriculum, and touring musical groups so that music became a viable major. During the summers he was a tour guide for Cartan Tours, often traveling to western Canada.
"Ruth and Arnold were married in the Lake Forest College chapel in 1951 in a joint ceremony performed by both Ruth's father, the Rev. Dr. Edward L. Gibson, of Henry, Ill., and Ruth's brother, the Rev. Dr. William E. Gibson, of Fayetteville, Ark.
"Arnold always held Ed Gibson in the highest esteem as a person of utmost character. On the other hand, Ed , then in his 70s, had not learned to drive until he was 50.
"Arnold enjoyed, as his family heard many times, telling of his experiences in the back seat of Ed's car as they traversed Henry's streets - usually going way too fast. At four-way intersections, the community used drainage dips on all four sides across each street. And if Ed was traveling at 40 miles per hour down the street, he was apt to not even slow to 39 as the car bounced across two dips - and Arnold's head went slamming into the headliner. As Arnold said, 'Whew,' and was he glad to get out of that car.
"In 1951, Mr. Thomas began his studies toward his doctorate at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. He was privileged to work with Dr. James L. Mursell, Lillabelle Pitts, Harry Robert Wilson, and other leaders in music education.
"Arnold continued to teach at Lake Forest College until 1962. By that time he had become the father of three sons. No one was any prouder of those boys than Ruth's mother, Anna Catherine Gibson, of Henry . . .
"By 1962, Arnold had earned his doctorate in music education from Columbia, and soon after, the family moved to the Los Angeles area, where he taught in the music department at Mount Saint Mary's College, both at the downtown facilities and at the satellite campus high in the Brentwood Hills overlooking the city.
"During the first couple of weeks in sunny California, a dear aunt and uncle, Ruth and Bob Goffinet Sr., of San Marino, in the Pasadena area of Los Angeles, 'rescued' the Thomases while they found their first home there.
"Dr. Thomas directed the choir at Pacoima Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley from 1963 to 1964, with wife, Ruth, serving as church organist.
"In the summer of 1964, the Thomas family moved to Greeneville after Dr. Thomas accepted an offer to become professor of music and head of the Department of Fine Arts at Tusculum College.
"He soon built a strong department with the help of Clement Allison in art and David Behan in theatre.
"Arnold was appointed academic dean of the college by President Douglas Trout in 1965 and served in that capacity until 1966. He was instrumental in recruiting 20 new faculty to the college that year from across the country, some of whom would spend much of the rest of their teaching careers at Tusculum College.
"In 1965-66, Nell Douthat was his secretary, during which time they formed a long-term friendship.
"Highlights of 'Doc's' years at the college included the choir and men's chorus. Along with an array of other engagements, the choir performed an annual spring concert at Greene County's Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church, after which church members treated the choir to some of the best food in the world.
"For many years there was a flurry of activity with annual choir tours, concerts at local high schools and churches, student recitals, and graduating music majors.
"A strong leader with great drive and enthusiasm, he became involved with the musical life of Greeneville. He directed a concert of Handel's 'Messiah' at Tusculum College his first year and later a community production of the 'Messiah' involving the college choir and choirs of area churches as well as area soloists.
"In a later season, he directed a community production of Mendelssohn's 'Elijah.'
"Dr. Thomas became director of music at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1967 and served as such until his health began to fail in 2001.
"He was also active in Greeneville's Little Theatre productions. He played lead roles in 'J.B.' and 'Life With Father,' both of which were directed by Greeneville native Louise Orr.
"Arnold was awarded the rank of professor emeritus of music by Tusculum College at his retirement in 1979. In October 2003, the Tusculum College Alumni Association awarded both Dr. and Mrs. Thomas the National Living Faculty Award 'for exemplary professional achievement for memorable teaching, dedication to students, and a love of learning.'
"Dr. Thomas was a voracious reader and loved to travel. In 1982, he and Ruth made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe.
"The following year the couple revisited the West, driving across Canada and circling around through California and Colorado, visiting family and old acquaintances and seeing the country. As long as Arnold was able, he and Ruth were no strangers to the road."
Survivors include: his wife of 56 years: Ruth Thomas; two sons and a daughter-in-law: Jerry Thomas of Greeneville and Bill and Walker Thomas of Berryville, Va.; two granddaughters: Georgia Thomas and Tessa Thomas, both of Berryville; three sisters-in-law: Nancy Thomas of Florida, Valada Thomas of Evansville, and Judy Gibson of New York; special nieces and nephews and their spouses: Wesley Thomas, Larry Thomas, Pam and Bill Crowe, Anna Gibson, Deborah Jaworski, Steven Gibson, and Don Goffinet; a special great-niece: Julie Crowe; a special great-nephew: Tom Crowe; special cousins and her husband: Frances and John Haddan, and Jack Haddan; and a special aunt and uncle: Anna and Jimmy Lawson of Clearwater, Fla.
He was preceded in death by one son. Arnold Ray Thomas Jr.; his parents; and two brothers: Raymond Thomas and Leslie Thomas.
The family received friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jamie Lively, the Rev. Roy Blakeburn, and the Rev. Dan Freeman will officiate.
A committal service will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning in Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Emmett, Marshall Brown, Clem Allison, Casey Nicholson, Harold Andrew, Bernard Sams, and Richard Parrack.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Aspen Wing staff and other staff of Life Care Center of Greeneville, the members of the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Music Department, Cindy Sams, Bobbie Christiansen, Dr. Richard Aasheim, Dr. Robert Locklear, the Rev. Stephen Weisz, Dr. Doug Trout, Dr. Robert Davis, Dr. Donal Sexton, the members of the Smoky Mountain Music Teachers Association, and the "caring, honest, and sympathetic" staff of Caris Health Care of Johnson City.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101; or to the Music Department, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, c/o Cindy Sams, 201 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN 37745.
Died: March 2, 2008
Dr. Arnold Ray Thomas, 94, of Greeneville, retired emeritus professor of music at Tusculum College, died Sunday morning at Life Care Center of Greeneville.
In addition to his service for 25 years as a member of the Tusculum faculty, Dr. Thomas was a widely known figure in community musical events from the mid-1960s through the 1990s.
His family provided the following statement:
"He was born in Providence, Ky., on Aug. 27, 1913, the first of three sons, to Elzie and Neva Thomas. His father was a coal miner and later an inventor and entrepreneur of such things as glass cleaner and car polish.
"They moved to Eldorado, Ill., where young 'Arnold Ray,' as the family called him, was often with his beloved paternal 'Granny Thomas' or her daughter, Mendozen. Once or twice, Granny and Arnold Ray even schemed to hop the train and play hookey from school to visit nearby Harrisburg, Ill. ... until 'Maw' caught on and brought that mischievousness to a screeching halt.
"Arnold completed high school in Eldorado, finding and developing an interest in instrumental, choral, and piano music. By the age of 12, he was playing and singing for funerals.
"He received his bachelor of music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington in 1938. Subsequently, he went on to teach band and choral music at Mount Morris and other Illinois public schools.
"He joined the National Guard and served with the U.S. Army for five years. After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., he trained new recruits at various sites including Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
"During World War II, he served at the rank of captain in the South Pacific, including the island of New Caledonia, where, as part of the Special Services unit, he planned and organized entertainment for the troops and worked with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and other entertainers.
"When his tour of duty was completed, he settled in Chicago and made his living playing the piano and singing in cocktail lounges and teaching voice. For a short time, he lived in Detroit, where he had a radio program and was known as 'a singer of a thousand songs.'
"After returning to Chicago, he earned his master's of education degree in voice at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1946 and met his future wife, Ruth, who completed her master's degree in piano the same summer.
"He was immediately hired to develop a strong music department at Lake Forest College north of Chicago. So many returning veterans wanted to take piano lessons that he hired Ruth to a part-time position, then to full-time in the newly-organized music department.
"He developed a marching band, a strong music curriculum, and touring musical groups so that music became a viable major. During the summers he was a tour guide for Cartan Tours, often traveling to western Canada.
"Ruth and Arnold were married in the Lake Forest College chapel in 1951 in a joint ceremony performed by both Ruth's father, the Rev. Dr. Edward L. Gibson, of Henry, Ill., and Ruth's brother, the Rev. Dr. William E. Gibson, of Fayetteville, Ark.
"Arnold always held Ed Gibson in the highest esteem as a person of utmost character. On the other hand, Ed , then in his 70s, had not learned to drive until he was 50.
"Arnold enjoyed, as his family heard many times, telling of his experiences in the back seat of Ed's car as they traversed Henry's streets - usually going way too fast. At four-way intersections, the community used drainage dips on all four sides across each street. And if Ed was traveling at 40 miles per hour down the street, he was apt to not even slow to 39 as the car bounced across two dips - and Arnold's head went slamming into the headliner. As Arnold said, 'Whew,' and was he glad to get out of that car.
"In 1951, Mr. Thomas began his studies toward his doctorate at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. He was privileged to work with Dr. James L. Mursell, Lillabelle Pitts, Harry Robert Wilson, and other leaders in music education.
"Arnold continued to teach at Lake Forest College until 1962. By that time he had become the father of three sons. No one was any prouder of those boys than Ruth's mother, Anna Catherine Gibson, of Henry . . .
"By 1962, Arnold had earned his doctorate in music education from Columbia, and soon after, the family moved to the Los Angeles area, where he taught in the music department at Mount Saint Mary's College, both at the downtown facilities and at the satellite campus high in the Brentwood Hills overlooking the city.
"During the first couple of weeks in sunny California, a dear aunt and uncle, Ruth and Bob Goffinet Sr., of San Marino, in the Pasadena area of Los Angeles, 'rescued' the Thomases while they found their first home there.
"Dr. Thomas directed the choir at Pacoima Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley from 1963 to 1964, with wife, Ruth, serving as church organist.
"In the summer of 1964, the Thomas family moved to Greeneville after Dr. Thomas accepted an offer to become professor of music and head of the Department of Fine Arts at Tusculum College.
"He soon built a strong department with the help of Clement Allison in art and David Behan in theatre.
"Arnold was appointed academic dean of the college by President Douglas Trout in 1965 and served in that capacity until 1966. He was instrumental in recruiting 20 new faculty to the college that year from across the country, some of whom would spend much of the rest of their teaching careers at Tusculum College.
"In 1965-66, Nell Douthat was his secretary, during which time they formed a long-term friendship.
"Highlights of 'Doc's' years at the college included the choir and men's chorus. Along with an array of other engagements, the choir performed an annual spring concert at Greene County's Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church, after which church members treated the choir to some of the best food in the world.
"For many years there was a flurry of activity with annual choir tours, concerts at local high schools and churches, student recitals, and graduating music majors.
"A strong leader with great drive and enthusiasm, he became involved with the musical life of Greeneville. He directed a concert of Handel's 'Messiah' at Tusculum College his first year and later a community production of the 'Messiah' involving the college choir and choirs of area churches as well as area soloists.
"In a later season, he directed a community production of Mendelssohn's 'Elijah.'
"Dr. Thomas became director of music at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1967 and served as such until his health began to fail in 2001.
"He was also active in Greeneville's Little Theatre productions. He played lead roles in 'J.B.' and 'Life With Father,' both of which were directed by Greeneville native Louise Orr.
"Arnold was awarded the rank of professor emeritus of music by Tusculum College at his retirement in 1979. In October 2003, the Tusculum College Alumni Association awarded both Dr. and Mrs. Thomas the National Living Faculty Award 'for exemplary professional achievement for memorable teaching, dedication to students, and a love of learning.'
"Dr. Thomas was a voracious reader and loved to travel. In 1982, he and Ruth made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe.
"The following year the couple revisited the West, driving across Canada and circling around through California and Colorado, visiting family and old acquaintances and seeing the country. As long as Arnold was able, he and Ruth were no strangers to the road."
Survivors include: his wife of 56 years: Ruth Thomas; two sons and a daughter-in-law: Jerry Thomas of Greeneville and Bill and Walker Thomas of Berryville, Va.; two granddaughters: Georgia Thomas and Tessa Thomas, both of Berryville; three sisters-in-law: Nancy Thomas of Florida, Valada Thomas of Evansville, and Judy Gibson of New York; special nieces and nephews and their spouses: Wesley Thomas, Larry Thomas, Pam and Bill Crowe, Anna Gibson, Deborah Jaworski, Steven Gibson, and Don Goffinet; a special great-niece: Julie Crowe; a special great-nephew: Tom Crowe; special cousins and her husband: Frances and John Haddan, and Jack Haddan; and a special aunt and uncle: Anna and Jimmy Lawson of Clearwater, Fla.
He was preceded in death by one son. Arnold Ray Thomas Jr.; his parents; and two brothers: Raymond Thomas and Leslie Thomas.
The family received friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jamie Lively, the Rev. Roy Blakeburn, and the Rev. Dan Freeman will officiate.
A committal service will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning in Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Emmett, Marshall Brown, Clem Allison, Casey Nicholson, Harold Andrew, Bernard Sams, and Richard Parrack.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Aspen Wing staff and other staff of Life Care Center of Greeneville, the members of the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church Music Department, Cindy Sams, Bobbie Christiansen, Dr. Richard Aasheim, Dr. Robert Locklear, the Rev. Stephen Weisz, Dr. Doug Trout, Dr. Robert Davis, Dr. Donal Sexton, the members of the Smoky Mountain Music Teachers Association, and the "caring, honest, and sympathetic" staff of Caris Health Care of Johnson City.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101; or to the Music Department, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, c/o Cindy Sams, 201 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN 37745.
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