Plan for the Future
Charles W. ‘Charlie’ Thomas
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Exxon Engineer
Charles W. “Charlie” Thomas of Morristown passed away on
February 15, 2016, from Mantle Cell Lymphoma. He was predeceased by his parents and a son, David.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 48 years, Helen Rafter Thomas;
their two children; Robert Thomas and his wife Kerry; Kelly Patten and
her husband Jeffrey; and his five grandchildren; Eileen, Grace, and
Wesley Thomas and Robert and Katharine Patten.
Charlie graduated from high school in Cincinnati, Ohio and
attended Miami University in Ohio for two years before
transfering to The Ohio State University. He graduated from Ohio
State with bachelors and masters degrees in chemical engineering.
After leaving Ohio State, Charlie joined the United States Navy, where he completed officer training at Newport, Rhode Island and was assigned to the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California for a year to study meteorology. He completed his active Navy service with two years duty as a meteorologist at the naval base in Argentia, Newfoundland.
Charlie enjoyed a successful 39 year career in engineering at
Exxon Research and Engineering in Florham Park, NJ. He worked on
many projects for Exxon involving new refineries, refinery additions and
energy expansions. His Exxon assignments took him all over the world
including England, Japan, Germany, Aruba, Houston, Baton Rouge and
Saudi Arabia. On most assignments he was accompanied by his family.
Charlie thrived in retirement and enjoyed all sports; as a
participant when he was young; as a coach at the youth
level and finally as a spectator. He was an avid follower of the New
York Yankees, The Ohio State Buckeyes and all five of his
grandchildren’s sports teams. Among his favorite
times were summers at the family beach house. The highlight of his
summer occurred when his two children and their families spent their
vacations with him at the family summer home.
Charlie was active throughout all of his life in his church and in
lieu of flowers donations can be directed to the Memorial Fund at
The Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township.
Visitation will be held at Bradley Funeral Home in Chatham, on February 26, 2016 from 5-8pm. A memorial service will be held at 11 o’clock on February 27, 2016 at The Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, 240 Southern Boulevard, Chatham, NJ 07928. For further information go to www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com.