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Leonard "Len" Thomas
Born: 2/7/1940
Died: 8/8/2026
Age: 86
Community: Swartz Creek , MI
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Leonard E. “Len” Thomas age 86 of Swartz Creek, MI, has put his flute, camera, and MacBook away after a great ride through life.
A celebration of his life will be held at Court Street United Methodist Church at 11am on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road Flint, and 10am Friday until the time of the service at the church. Cremation will follow the service.
The final resting place will be Elmwood Cemetery in New Lothrop, MI.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to a charity of your choice.
Len was born in Flint on February 7, 1940, the son of Leonard and Miriam (Krueger) Thomas.
He graduated from Flint Central High School (1958), Flint Junior College (1960), the University of Michigan-Flint (1962), and Eastern Michigan University (1971). He spent his entire educational career as a dedicated teacher and administrator in the Flint Community Schools from 1962 until his retirement in 1995.
He married his high school love, Sharon Ann Walworth, on August 25, 1962. Len and Sharon moved to Swartz Creek in December 1995. From 1996 to 2000, he served as executive director for the Whaley Historical House Museum. As a patron of the arts, his leadership skills, unabashed enthusiasm, and commitment were evident in his many community volunteer roles, among them: The Flint Lensmen Camera Club, Friends of Music, and Friends of the Francis Wilson Thompson Library at UM-Flint, senior choir member of Court Street UMC, Genesee Wind Symphony, Swartz Creek Area Historical Society, Greater Flint Arts Council, Flint Genealogical Society, the Retired Men’s Fellowship of Greater Flint, Shiawassee County Historical Society, and his involvement with the Governor Crapo Post 145, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Carrington Chapter of the Daughters of the Union. His leadership also touched many regional and state organizations through his local affiliations. His passions for local history, photography, music of all genres, counted cross-stitch, genealogy and Civil War grave research gained numerous recognitions. He was noted for his hugs, laughter, hot fudge sauce, thoughtfulness and commitment to tasks at hand.
Len leaves to cherish his memory and continue his verve for life: his incredibly supportive wife, Sharon; son, Scott Thomas; son-in-law, Joseph Ankley; beloved grandsons, Ryan (Keelie) Thomas, great-granddaughter, Piper; and Daniel Thomas; Paul (Libby) Ankley; Spencer and Owen Ankley; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Snell; brothers-in-law, Wayne Walworth and Donald (Laura) Walworth; aunt, Shirley (Thomas) Balmer-Jordan; nephew, Mark Ruebke; niece, Martha (Ed) Hanley; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many supportive friends.
Len was predeceased by his parents, an infant daughter, daughter Jayna (Thomas) Ankley, sister Marilyn (Thomas) Wilson, brothers-in-law, William Wilson and Leo Ruebke, sister-in-law, Katherine Walworth and niece, Stacy Walworth.
Special thanks to family, great friends, and acquaintances who have supported Len over the years.
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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8/13/2026 |
| Time: |
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4:00 PM |
| Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road Flint, and 10am Friday until the time of the service at the church. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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8/14/2026 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Court Street United Methodist Church
225 West Court Street
Flint, MI 48507Get a Map to this location...
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