Steve was a kind friend and I miss the daily emails of wisdom he often provided me. I was saddened at his passing but know that he had suffered enough in this world and that he is certainly happy in the next.  Steve was a rare person and I will always miss him.

I had the opportunity to work with Steve as a board member of what is now known as St.Vincent Catholic Charities headquartered in Lansing. He was the consumate advocate for all that SVCC offered and continues to offer.

Mr. Thomas provided help to those that suffered with mental and physical disabilities in the state of Michigan. He was one of kindest human beings and one of the smartest I ever met, I will miss him greatly.

Steve and I were best of friends in high school at Sacred Heart never quite resolving whether Pontiac or Hazel Park were better or worse. Though we lost touch, Steve's personal touch during school never left me. I pray for all of you. I thank Steve for who he was and look forward to finishing the Pontiac/Hazel Park debate (in my favor) when we meet on the other side. Mike Lyons

We are so sorry to hear about Steve's passing.  Our thoughts are with you.  Stacey & Greg (EIP)

Steve was the type of guy who would FILL the room.
I have so many wonderful memories of vacations with my wonder Thomas cousins! That house was filled with kids, and love, and there was always room for more of both. God bless Aunt Jean and Uncle Steve for raising such a warmhearted, Christian, and God fearing family, that has made this world a much better place. Some of the best memories of my childhood were spent with the Thomas family. Now one of them has been taken from us, but, I am certain that we will all meet again in the next life! Now THAT will be a reunion to top any one we have ever had here on earth!
God bless his family, and give them the strength to carry on, till we all meet again.

My thoughts and prayers are with you durring your time of loss. Steve was a wonderful co-worker and freind. His beleif and encouragement in others was an inspiration to all of those he met. Go Blue!!!

We are sad to hear of Steve's passing but rejoice in the knowledge that he is now in the presence of Heavenly Father.  We will miss a dear neighbor.  Liz, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I met Steve through my work at Michigan State University, and he became a wonderful friend and mentor. Such a good man, in every way. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Liz, and your family.

I knew Steve because of his love of God which led him to attend daily mass and act as a prayer intercessor for others.  He was kind and thoughtful.  He shared his health concerns and I prayed for his healing.  This morning I received a call and was surprised to learn of his passing...but God's ways are not our ways.  As I browsed this guest book and searched for words Malachi 3:16 stands out:  "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.  A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name".  I do believe that Stephen's name is inscribed on such a scroll.  May God have mercy on his soul and pour abundant love and graces on his beloved wife and family and may he intercede for all of us now in a more glorious way. For "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever."  (Psalm 125:1)

Steve Thomas and I have been lifelong friends since 1958.    After college, we stayed in touch and shared family times together while raising our kids.  Steve was a man of compassion with a heart as big and as fierce as a lion when it came to looking out for the little guy.  He was in many ways a big brother to me and to many of the people whose lives he touched. It has been an honor for me to have lived and grown up with Steve in this lifetime. Rest in peace ol' friend and QUE PASA!

Mark Sisco

We were sadden to hear of our dear friend Steve who became a "Patronage of St. Joseph buddy" when he married Liz.  Steve was one of us for over 45+ years.  We always loved to see his electrifing smile and hear his words of widsom.  We know your "New Life had just begun" for you have seem the face of God.  We share the words which truly depicted our feelings.  "Friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them and a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end.........a lifetime is not to long to live as friends.  Till we meet again Godspeed!, Ange, Glo, Clem, Grace and Pat.

We were very sad to hear about Steve's passing.  Our hearts go out to Liz and  the family.  You are all in our prayers.  
Fondly,

Steve is one of those rare persons whom I have never heard say a negative or disparaging word.  It was always good to see him.  I will miss him and the "light" he carried with him.

Steve's smiling eyes, love of family and his generosity, are a fraction of the things I admired about Steve. I have much gratitude for having known him.

I was blessed to be able to work along side of Steve and to be able to call him my friend.  Miss you Steve, and just wanted to tell you GO BLUE and there are 106 days left before the U of M and MSU football game.

I was so blessed by being able to work along side of Steve at the CMH/ACT Program for several years, and to be able to say he was my friend. He loved and respected our consumers. His God and family were everything to him.  I miss you Steve.  Go Blue and there are 106 days left until the U of M and MSU football game.

I had the pleasure of working with Steve at Comminuty Mental Health in Lansing at the ACT program.  He worked part time when I started and I always looked forward to the days when he was there.  He was a wonderful mentor, and his smile was contagious. With his many many years of experience and history with the client's we served he was an assest to the team. Though I am a tried and true Spartan fan and he a Wolverine- we were able to get past this divide and become friends.  I will miss you Steve.  Go Blue!
Wishing the Thomas family the strength and comfort to guide you through this trying time.

Liz and the entire Thomas clan: Our condolences--The Neuner's. We are in Boston for. Renee's graduation, will try to get back for his service. He was a great friend and mentor, directly and indirectly for our entire family. You should fee l very proud. Dennis Neuner and family.

We would like to express our condolences to the Thomas Family..
May God,s love strengthen you during this difficult time..



Fondly,
Richard and Patty Johnson

I met Steve at my 1st job out of college at the Oakland County Youth Assistance Program.  We soon become friends.  I admired his sense of humor and, being in our early 20's, we shared some hilarious experiences (one might even say silly or immature).  We socialized more than we worked together, but he was an impressive and knowledgeable colleague.  

I felt privileged to continue our friendship as the years passed; he continued advancing to higher levels of responsibility in our state government.

When Steve retired, Jeanne and I were fortunate enough to own a business that was based on the program that  Steve and I had developed at the Health Department. Ironically, we then hired Steve as a part-time instructor. He taught for us and was one of the best instructors we had, and helped our reputation immensely.

We have stayed in contact with Steve and Liz over 45 years, and love them so much.  Our birthdays were days apart... he will always be in our hearts. 

We know that he is happy now, and waiting for us to join him.

Thomas Family,

May God give you the strength to walk this path of greif and sorrow.  Keep all of the memories close to your heart, and Stephen will be just as close.  
Fr. Kevin, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Steve, Man of God, thank you for your faith and kindnesses.  May the Lord bless you with His Light and Peace.  

Liz, may the Lord bless and comfort you.

I first met Steve when we were both high school freshmen at Sacred Heart Seminary. He seemed to be "connected" and knew his way around, a big help to me as a kid who had never spent much time away from home and felt lost. I don't know why he befriended me, but I am grateful for it to this day.

"Be what you are" was a saying often voiced at the seminary by Fr. Sherzer. On the surface of it he meant, "You are studying to be a priest. Act like it."  More fundamentally, I think he was encouraging us to be honorable.

Steve embodied that advice much more than most of us. Even as a 14 yr old boy, he was profoundly honorable. And he was a quintessentially nice guy.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

I was very blessed to know Steve through choir and enjoyed singing and visiting with him through the years at St. Thomas Aquinas.  

Liz, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto Steve, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

I will miss his beautiful singing voice as he made choir a fun place to be.  May our Lord grant you the peace he now gives to Steve...

Dear Liz and family,

You are in our hearts and thoughts and prayers as you prepare to lay to rest a very special brother in Christ.  Steve was truly special in many ways and he will be so fondly remembered by many, especially us. Over the years, Steve and Buddy were close and his wisdom, thoughts and comments were appreciated.  His correspondence and visits to Maryland were always a treat for us.  We know that his spirit is in a very good place and he is finally at peace.  

In accordance with family suggestions, we will be sending a donation in Steve's name to the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund.

I was part of the staff of the Drug Abuse and Alcoholism project with the State back in 1972-3.  After the project was over, amazing Steve continued to call me (and many others) every year for over 20 years on my birthday (and eventually my childrens' birthdays) always with a joke and some words of Christian wisdom. He appeared at my husband's funeral visitation although I had not seen him in years.  
Steve was a wonderful example of "preach the Gospel always, use words if necessary."

To all of my Thomas cousins and cousins-in-law,

John and I send our love and prayers to each of you and your families as we mourn the loss of Steve to us in this life.  How precious is our sure hope of being together again!  John and I would love to be able to be with you all during this time---know that we are with you in heart, now and in the days ahead.

Steve was a dear and wonderful person in every way.  I will miss knowing  he is with us and only a phone call or email away but I am happy that he is face-to-face with the God whom he loved so much.   My deepest sympathy to Liz and all the family.  Those of us who will miss him deeply are too many to count.

Steve made a positive impact on everyone who knew him.  Although he will be sadly missed, heaven rejoices for he is there in peace.  His life is a valuable example of faith and good works.  
cousin, Maria Martella

My love and prayers are with all of you. I rejoice with you that Steve no longer suffers and is with our Savior!

I are so sorry for your loss.  I grew up four doors down from Steve and his family on Crossley in Hazel Park.  I always loved to visit Thais and her wonderful family.  I will always remember Steve and each of the family.  What a blessing they were to me.  Too many memories to share.  I am praying for your family and trust that God will bring comfort and peace to your hearts. (Nancy Kellems-Goldberg).

Steve was blessed, but so were all who knew him.  Liz, he and you have always given me and my family an overabundance of love and support.  His life has been a great example of Christianity.  Enjoy the wonders of Heaven, my dear brother, I will see you again soon.

Uncle Steve was always supportive, kind, and faith-filled. It will not be the same at the family gatherings without him. My prayers go out to all of our family members in this time of grief.

Steve was a great guy who I have known since 1958.  In recent years, I have had the good fortune to re-connect with Steve and have some wonderful conversations.  He was a brilliant and intensely spiritual man.  He will be missed by all that knew him. Tony Sincic

I will always remember Uncle Steve as a very kind and very positive person.  I am praying for all of us who will miss him very much.

OBITUARY

Stephen Thomas Jr.

May 25, 1944 – July 16, 2013

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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