Dean N. Thomas

Obituaries/Death Notices

THOMAS Dean N. Thomas, 46, of Oklahoma City passed away suddenly on Monday December 4, 2000. He was born on November 10, 1954 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. David W. Thomas, Jr. After graduating from Lock Haven High School in 1972, he attended Bucknell University and graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins in 1977 with degrees in International Law and Economics. He then attended Penn State University, completing pre-medical requirements in Biology and Chemistry. His love of flying took him to Mesa, Arizona where he obtained his private, twin engine, commercial, instrument, and instructor's ratings in single and twin aircraft. For six months he remained at his flight school as an instructor before returning to Lock Haven, PA where he was employed by Piper Aircraft Corp. in the marketing department in 1981. He was transferred to Piper Aircraft's Vero Beach plant in 1984, where he became Director of Marketing. In 1989 he formed his own consulting firm, Synergy Inc. until 1995 at which time he came to Oklahoma City as Sr. Vice President of Marketing for Commander Aircraft Corp. and was subsequently appointed President and CEO in the spring of 2000. Recently he was elected to the Board of Directors of Aviation General, the parent company of Commander Aircraft Inc. Besides his love of flying, he was an avid golfer, was captain and center for his high school basketball team, enjoyed snow skiing, helped coach his son's T-ball team, and was a member of Mensa. In 1984, he married Susan M. Bressler of Mechanicsburg, PA. Dean leaves behind his two beloved children, Jordan, age 7 and Deanna, age 4. He is also survived by his parents, a brother, David of Lock Haven, PA; two sisters, Jane and Kim from Florida, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the American Heart Association. A memorial service will be held at Vondel L. Smith and Sons, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd. Visitation from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., with the service immediately following. Commitment services will be held Monday, December 11th at 11 a.m. at Donald Walker Funeral Home, Flemington, PA. Visitation will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10th. Interment at Highland Cemetery, Lock Haven, PA. Dean's zest for life, compassion, wisdom and love will be deeply missed by his family and friends.