George William Thomas

George William Thomas was born of Glen Eugene and Elizabeth Sauers and raised on Neville Island, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh on the Ohio River. Most of George's life was spent on the Ohio River. He began as a deck hand at the age of 15 on the Sewickley for John Hysmith. Before long he found himself in the pilot house and officially became Captain George Thomas not long after. He served in the Army state-side, receiving an honorable discharge in 1952. George was one of 17 live births, survived by only Thelma Himes, age 86, of Aliquippa PA. George married Dorothy Creese and fathered three children, Glen Edward, John Charles (who passed away in 2009), and Georgia Lee. George worked for Hysmith for 17 years, then for Crain Brothers, navigating Pittsburgh's Three Rivers, as well as traveling north to St Paul, MO and south to Parkersburg, WV. George continued being a much-loved father in his second marriage to Ruth Ann Angus. He had two sons and two daughters, Cheryl Ann, Cindy Colleen, Edward Allen, and George Daniel. Although he was away on the river for two weeks at a time, he devoted his time to his children each week he was home. After about 15 years with Crain Brothers, George worked for John's Towing, from Shippenport PA, in and around Pittsburgh, and down the Mississippi as far south as New Orleans. He piloted towing vessels pushing barges of coal, steel and other cargo. Through his years, George had many stories to tell of his work and of the way things were during the Depression. When you parted from George he'd often say, “Bless you.” George married his third wife of 32 years, Elizabeth Hanek, in 1983. Their child, John Paul Thomas was born in 1984. J.P. thinks the world of his dad as do all his children. George had 23 grandchildren, including two who died untimely deaths: Kenneth Edward Thomas at birth and Leif O'Neil at the age of 14. George has 38 great-grandchildren (and counting), one great-great grandchild and lots of other people who call him Pap or Papaw. George had about a year of early retirement until Arrow Terminals convinced him to return to the Ohio River in New Martinsville, WV, where he worked part-time another 6 years. He didn't quit his career yet, putting in about 7 years piloting the Sistersville Ferry. He worked until age 76. His death at age 85 was caused by coronary artery disease and COPD, complicated by asbestosis. George's body will be cremated with his ashes spread over Sugar Run farm in Middlebourne. Viewing will on March 21 at Myers Funeral Home in Sistersville from 5 to 8 p.m. The service will be March 22 at 11 a.m at Family Community Church in New Martinsville on Harlan Drive. (The building on the hill by the railroad trestle just past the Marina.) The repast will be at the Sistersville Fire House following the church service. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Compassion International, or plant a tree in George's honor.