Daniel Thomas

Daniel Lee Thomas, 73, of Center Line, MI, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa on December 27, 1950, the son of Warren F. & Helen R. (Maas) Thomas. He graduated from North Tama County Community High School in Traer, IA in 1969 and attended Marshalltown Community College beginning in 1969. He continued his studies at the University of Northern Iowa graduating in May 1973 with B.A. with combined Majors of Philosophy & Religion. Through life Dan had a strong Christian faith and in the fall 1973 he enrolled in Master of Divinity Graduate Level Studies Program at Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1986 he began a position at Grand Valley State University in the Plant Services Department. He obtained a Boiler Operator License after completing course work and obtained a Boiler Engineer License. He continued his work at the university until his retirement for health reasons and he had last resided at Father Murray, a Villa Nursing Facility, in Center Line, Michigan.

Dan enjoyed many interests throughout his life including many characteristics that made him a fine fisherman. He was patient and determined with the ability to observe his surroundings, keys to being a successful angler. Dan also loved bicycling and riding provided him with fitness, good health and time outdoors. He was a dedicated Biblical scholar having studied many versions of Biblical texts, including Greek and Hebrew, in pursuit of his deep and abiding Christian faith. Daniel loved to share his testimony with others and leading others to the Lord—a fisherman of souls. He loved music and singing and became an accomplished guitar player. He was a talented writer and creative artist, writing many poems, song lyrics, stories and creating art works. He had a fine intellect with a lifelong interested in the pursuit of knowledge. He was a good brother—funny, caring, kind, and thoughtful. He was loved by family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Dan is survived by one brother, John (Eser Tolunay) Thomas of Potomac, Maryland and two sisters Ruth Marie Bennett of Auburn, Georgia and Carol Ann Potter of Pheonix, Arizona. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Floyd Thomas and Helen Ruth Maas Thomas, and his sister Donna Jean (Larry) Camarata of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Dan is also survived by the children of his sister Ruth, Sam Bennett of Lawrenceville, Georgia and Sara Meyer of Winder, Georgia; by the children of his sister Carol, Jessica Baxter of Wichita, Kansas, Jamie Annett Hopper of Tempe, Arizona, and Luke Chalfant of Mesa, Arizona; and by the children of his sister Donna, Julie Camarata Meyer of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Jennifer Padgett of Norwalk, Iowa.

Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in keeping with his wishes to be near the gravesites of his mother and sister. Heritage Life Story Funeral Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan is making the burial arrangements. Daniel’s obituary is posted at their website (https://heritagelifestory.com/obituaries/daniel-thomas.147168). Those wishing to make donations can do so to Daniel’s long time church, Calvary Baptist Church, at Calvary Baptist Church / 1200 28th St. SE / Grand Rapids, MI 49508 with a note that it is in memory of Daniel Thomas.