Leonard M. Thomas

Leonard M. Thomas, age 91 of Cambridge, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Astoria Place. He was born on September 26, 1931 in Cambridge, a son of the late Merrill A. Thomas and Edna G. (Patterson) Thomas. Len graduated from Cambridge High School at age 16 then went to Muskingum College for his Bachelors, and Boston University for his Masters. He then served his country in the U.S. Army and played sousaphone in the band. Upon his return from the service, Len worked in Zanesville as a parole officer and was a church choral director with five choirs. Three years later Len became director of choral music in Brooklyn, New York at McKinley Jr. High School for 11 and a half years. Len was best known as a performer, soloist, accompanist and arranger for Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. While with the Pennsylvanians, Len played at the White House and Carnegie Hall and toured the U.S. and Europe. After Fred's passing, he was the editor and arranger at Shawnee Press for 17 years. Len was a life-time member of the American Legion in East Stroudsburg, PA. After retiring from Shawnee Press, he came back and worked at Muskingum University first directing their concert choir then continued on as an accompanist and often giving piano lessons. Even in retirement, he still performed many area events including the Muskingum Jazz Group, Cambridge Singers and various church and community opportunities. Len was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church in Cambridge and had most recently attended Christ United Methodist Church. He was inducted into the first class of the annual Cambridge High School Distinguished Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Guernsey County Hall of Fame in 1999. He had also received the Sinfonia Lifetime Achievement Award. Len’s focus was to mentor and serve others with a passion to influence people, whether through words or music, to trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is preceded in death by: his parents; his siblings, June Armstrong, William Thomas, Betty Ronshausen, Patricia Jones, and Lowell Thomas; and a nephew and a niece Surviving are: 21 nieces and nephews and multiple great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Monday, June 5, 2023 at Bundy-Law Funeral Home from 11 am to 1 pm with the service to begin at 1 pm. Pastor Steve Smith will officiate with burial to follow in Guernsey Memory Gardens. Military Graveside Rites will be performed by the Guernsey County Veteran's Council. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either, Christ United Methodist Church, 2167 North Avenue, Cambridge, Ohio 43725 or to First Christian Church, 1127 Beatty Avenue Cambridge, Ohio 43725. Leonard's online guest book may be viewed and signed at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.

Leonard M. Thomas

September 26, 1931 - May 31, 2023