John A. Thomas

John A. Thomas, 63, of Meadville, personnel manager of the Meadville American Viscose Corp. plant for the past 18 years, died at Spencer Hospital yesterday morning following an illness of several months.

A son of the late Armit and Elizabeth Edwards Thomas, he was born at Scranton on July 3, 1895.

Thomas had been personnel American Viscose Corp. manager of the local plant since August 1940.  Prior to that time he had been employed by Universal Atlas Cement Co. in various capacities.  He left the position of assistant manager of labor relations, with offices in New York City, to accept the Meadville position with Viscose.

He had been active in civic affairs, being a member of the board of directors of the United Fund of Western Crawford County, and having served in various capacities with the Community Chest and the American Red Cross.  He was a member of Taylor Hose Co., the Chamber of Commerce, and of the Stone Methodist Church.

Thomas was a graduate from Scranton Central High School, attended Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA and was graduated from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, with a degree in mining engineering.  While in college, he was a member of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.

Besides his widow, the former Nan Cranmer of Bethlehem, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. John C. Hawes, the former Jean Thomas of Pittsburgh and three grandchildren, John Scott Hawes, William Christopher Hawes and Mary Ann Hawes; two brothers, Capt. Griffith Edwards Thomas, USN Ret., of San Diego, CA and Capt. Armit Chester Thomas USN Ret. of Riverside, CA.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in West Creek Cemetery, West Creek, NJ.