Lewis Monroe Thomas

Lewis Monroe Thomas, 71, of Newport, Ohio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Marietta Memorial Hospital. He was born July 14,1948, in Newport, Ohio, a son of the late Wayne and Eileene Gracey Thomas.

Lewis graduated from Newport High School in 1966, and was a Veteran of the US Army, having served in Vietnam. In 1972, he married Truda Ritchie, who proceeds him in death. He retired from Momentive Performance Materials, as a Chemical Operator, in 2016, after 35 years. Lewis enjoyed hunting, bluegrass music, crossword puzzles, Louis L’Amour novels, and Jeopardy. He was a man of few words, but family was everything to him.

Along with his wife and parents, Lewis was preceded in death by one son, Clayton Thomas, as well as 2 brothers, Gerald Thomas and Danny Thomas, and 2 sisters, Phyllis Long and Linda Griffith.

Lewis is survived by one daughter, Jamie McAfee, and her husband Eric, of Newport. He was Pappy to three grandchildren, Brayden, Allyson, and Jackson McAfee, all of Newport. Also surviving are 2 brothers, Kay (Barb) Thomas and Cecil (Cheryl) Thomas, all of Newport; 3 sisters, Mary (Darreli) Smith, Kathy (David) Binegar, and Melanie Tidd, all of Newport; sister-in-law Shirley Thomas of Marietta; brother-in-law Jim Griffith of Belpre; sister-in-law Patricia Stille of Lower Salem; brother-in-law Bob Stille of Lower Salem; brother-in-law Bob (Lisa) Ritchie of Marietta; Sister-in-law Vickie Whittle of Bluffton, SC; brother-in-law Frank (Menchu) Tieman, of Goose Creek, SC; and brother-in-law David Ritchie of Tulsa, OK. He’s also survived by many nieces, nephews, and neighbors, who he thought of like family.

At his request, there will be no funeral. Lewis requested to be cremated and laid to rest with his wife. There will be a graveside service, with Military Rights, at the convenience of the family. There will be a Celebration of Life dinner, Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., at Newport Volunteer Fire Department Community Building. This is for family and friends. Lewis loved gatherings with food, laughter, stories and music. All who knew and loved him are invited to help us celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Washington County Hospice or your local veterans organization in memory of Lewis.

McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is assisting the family.