Richard John Thomas, 82, of Leesburg, Fl, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at his home.

He was born on May 31, 1932, in Rome, to the late John M. and Norma Owen Thomas. He served in the United States Air Force from 1949-52. He graduated from Utica College in 1955, and taught public school in the Detroit area from 1955-63. Richard received his master’s Degree in American History from Wayne University in 1962. He then enrolled in the PhD program at Indiana University in 1964, where he met his future wife, Patricia Brown. They were married in 1965. After earning the PhD in American History, he taught at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, OH. In 1978, he became Dean of Liberal Studies at Alfred College in Alfred, NY. He also taught courses in sociology and criminology. He retired in 1994, when he and his wife moved to Leesburg, FL.

Richard was an avid reader and loved to travel, which he and his wife did extensively. Genealogy was a primary interest of his and he researched both his and his wife’s family trees. He compiled results and spanned several generations. He was a member of the Organization of American Historians and Kinseekers.

Richard is survived his wife of 50 years, Patricia; sons, Craig (Melissa) and Paul (Charisma); seven grandchildren, Matthew, Katie, Taylor, Megan, Caitlin, Lauren and Cathryn. He was predeceased by a brother, Roger Thomas.

Memorial contributions may be made to in Richard’s name to the Jervis Public Library.