John Thomas Ii

John C. “Mouse” Thomas II, 76, of Bartlett Run Road, Barton, passed away at home on October 23, 2017 with his wife and family by his side. He was born at Reeves Clinic in Westernport on April 26, 1941 to the late William “Daddy Bill” Thomas and Freda (Warnick) Thomas of Moscow, MD.

Additionally he was preceded in death by his sister Helen Thomas Miller, his first wife of 19 years Sandy Leatherman, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Melvin and Evelyn (Paugh) Preston, his brother-in-law Jim Lepley, his sister-in-law Linda Preston and his close friends Denny Ashby, Bill “Big Dog” Lamberson and Terry “Smiley” Meyers.

Mouse was a 1959 graduate of Valley High School. He previously worked at the Celanese and retired from Mead Westvaco as a multi craft mechanic. He was past bar manager of the Barton Firehall and current member of the Barton Hose Co. 19. He also served in the Army Reserves.

In his younger years, Mouse played in numerous sports leagues including softball, bowling, pool, corn hole and horseshoes. He was one of the founders of the Georges Creek Horse Shoe League. He was an avid Maryland Terps, Baltimore Orioles and Ravens fan.

Mouse had a talent with woodworking and made many beautiful projects in his shop. He was very humorous, with a quick wit and a unique laugh.

He leaves behind his best friend and devoted wife of 32 years Ruth (Preston) Thomas. They were married on February 2, 1985. Mouse and Ruth were inseparable; doing everything together, including gardening, watching movies, yard work, canning, camping, shopping, long car drives, going to fall festivals and sitting on their front porch together.

He is also survived by his son John C. Thomas III of Moscow; daughter Tracey Lynn Winn and husband Joe of Cumberland; step-daughter, who he raised and loved as his own, Christy (Preston) DeShong and husband Jason of Barton; two grandchildren, who he was very proud of, Ali Cline of Cumberland and Colton Thomas of the U.S. Army stationed in New Port News, VA; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jimmy Miller of Westernport, Carol Lepley of Keyser, WV, Bill Preston of PA, Judy and Raymond Mercer of Strasburg, VA, David and Audrey Preston of Falls Church, VA, Gary and BetteAnne Preston of Stafford, VA, Toby and Debbie Preston of Piedmont, WV, Brian Bean of Barton and Mary Bean of Fredericksburg, VA ; numerous nephews, nieces and special cousin Jack Thomas and family of NY.

Mouse had many special friends including Gene Simpson, John Amoroso, Clinton Bradley, Harold Bradley, Ellie Fazenbaker, Wayne Nicol, Wayne Rounds, Stanley Broadwater, Joe Langham, Kenny Schramm, Russell Jeffries, Steve DeShong, Evan Phelps, Jason George, Travis Love, Brant Rice, John Beeman, James Hardman, Rick Keister, Denise Brode, his Preston cousins-in-law, Leatherman family and his fur babies Peppy, Sophie and Bessie.

Mouse was a good man, respected, and very much loved. He will be dearly missed.

Although he was diagnosed in August with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, Mouse passed from complications due to Peripheral Artery Disease.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 2PM-6PM at Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A., Lonaconing. The Barton Hose Co. 19 will hold a memorial service at 5:00PM.

Ruth would like to thank Dr. Khanna and staff, the WMHS Hospice Services and Rob and Brandi Eakin for the care shown to Mouse during this time.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Barton Hose Co. 19 at P.O. Box 277, Barton, MD 21521.