Lee W. Thomas, 85, died peacefully with family by his side on June 29, 2012, at Heartland Hospice in Wilmington, DE.

He was born on a farm near Boswell, PA in 1926. A WWII veteran, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Philippines. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Chemical Engineering, he moved to Delaware in 1952 to work for DuPont, enjoying a 33-year career.

After retiring, he became a co-founder of an engineering consulting firm, Cecon, Inc., an instructor at Delaware Technical and Community College, a bus driver for Red Clay school district, and a flight instructor. Active in community service and other organizations, Lee participated in the Civil Air Patrol, Junior Achievement, Red Clay Kiwanis, Toastmasters, Christian Business Men's Club, and Bible study groups, and completed a national fire academy course though the Hockessin Fire Department at the age of 77. He was also a faithful church member, serving on many boards and committees.

Lee was a lifelong advocate of healthy living. At age 55, he began running in many local road races, competing for over 20 years and completing the Marine Corps marathon twice.

He will be dearly missed by his family and his wife of 62 years, Mary Jane. He is survived by his two daughters, Sharon Leipold and her husband, Walter, and Kathleen Zinn and her husband, Ken; grandchildren, Alan Young (Erin), Emily Y. Dolbow (Harry), Melanie Z. Merritt (Nicholas), and Andrew Zinn (Kate); stepgrandchildren, Daniel Leipold and Paul Leipold; and great-grandchildren, Cru and Keegan Young, Harry Dolbow V, and Lucy Merritt. Also surviving are his brother, Walter, his sister, Mary Lou Berkey, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Jim.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 6, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark, DE at 2:00 PM, followed by a service at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Ebenezer United Methodist Church.