Germain "Jerry" M. Thomas

Germain “Jerry” M. Thomas, 89 of Fond du Lac, died Thursday, April 2, 2015 at St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac. He was born on September 22, 1925 in Fond du Lac, the son of Arthur and Rose Chartrey Thomas. He attended St. Joseph’s grade school and Goodrich High School.



Jerry was enlisted in the U.S Navy in 1942 at the age of 17. After basic training he completed Fleet Radio school in San Francisco, and then Radar and Radio School in Memphis, TN, and then Aerial Gunnery school at Pensacola, FL. Jerry earned Combat Air Crewman Wings while stationed in Brazil for 19 months, where he and his test pilot flew aircraft that had recently been repaired. He remained in service until 1946. In 1947 after the war, Jerry joined the fledgling United States Air Force and was stationed at Chanute AFB, IL.



Jerry was joined in marriage to Carol Frame at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on September 29, 1951 and she preceded him in death on February 19, 1989. After her passing, he later married Laura Morgan Fox on January 14, 1995 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and subsequently Holy Family Parish. Jerry served as an usher for 36 years for the church. He also was the Secretary of St. Charles Cemetery for several years and coordinated many cemetery improvements, as a service to St Patrick’s Catholic Church.



Upon his return from military service Jerry became a fixture in the Fond du Lac area automobile business for 41 years, serving as salesman, and general manager at Service Motors, Deising Pontiac and Dittrich Buick. He also owned and operated Gormican Thomas Used Cars for 17 years.



Jerry has been a stalwart in the Fond du Lac community of service organizations. He was a Life member of the Knights of Columbus and Fraternal Order of the Elks, a charter member of the Catholic War Veterans and life member of the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Life member of Disabled American Veterans. Until his passing he had been Fond du Lac’s most senior member of the Eagles Club (72 years!). He was also an active member in the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Evening Optimist Club, including past member of the board of directors. In 1995 he received the “Optimist of the Year” award. One of his most recent and proudest accomplishments is the formation of the American Legion “Mannequin Project”, where he initiated soliciting funds to buy mannequins, and dressing them in the uniforms of local veterans. There are over 12 fully dressed mannequins that are on display at various times, with the primary goal of educating the local youth on military history and veteran’s contributions. Jerry liked to fish, hunt, travel, ballroom dancing and belonged to area golf and bowling teams through the years. He was an avid cribbage player and claimed to be the Fond du Lac County cribbage champion!



He is survived by his loving wife; Laura Fox Thomas; daughter, Caroline (Ed) Day, son, James (Nancy) Thomas, daughter, Mary Johnson, and daughter Patty (Tom) Wieczorek; four stepsons John (Melanie) Fox, Robert (Michelle) Fox, George (Dina) Fox, Anthony (Joanne) Fox; six stepdaughters, Dorothy (Michael) Kearns, Joan (William) Ferguson, Patricia (Dean) Zeingenbein, Paula (John) Schultz, Theresa (Russell) Drake, and Colleen (Anthony) Rowe; two grandsons, Ethan and Evan Wieczorek along with many step grandchildren and great step grandchildren. He is further survived by his siblings, brother, Charles “Chuck” Thomas and Alvina Herman. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Carol (Frame) Thomas; and siblings Ward, Naomi, Aaron and Athlene.



The visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home and again on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am at the church.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at Holy Family Parish, 271 4th Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery.



The family requests in lieu of flowers donations can be made to American Legion Post #75 Mannequin Project.



Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.