James Walter Thomas

"Jim"

Hammond

James Walter Thomas, age 91, of Hammond was called home to be with his Lord on Friday, October 7, 2016.
He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years: Lucille Thomas (nee Byrom); four children: Patricia (late James) Bence, Joe L. (Ruth) Thomas, James (Patricia) Thomas, Cindy (Dennis) Adam; thirteen grandchildren: Bryan (Lori) Coster, Berry (Sue) Coster, Jill Johnson, Kelly Marie Thomas, Gregory Joseph (Melissa) Thomas, Kim and Shelly Thomas, Christopher L. Adam, Jessica L. Adam, Ode Lee Byrom, Maggie L. Grubs, Patrick Colin, Bobby Colin; eight great grandchildren; two brothers: Paul (Sue) Thomas, Douglas (Peggy) Thomas; two sisters: Brenda Thomas, Charlotte (Larry) Olson; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, friends and Hermie his Shih Tzu.

Preceded in death by parents: James and Anna Mae Thomas and numerous siblings.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Bocken Funeral Home 7042 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond (Hessville) with Pastor Jeffrey Hannon, officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Lawn Cemetery, Schererville, IN. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 for a time of visitation from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bocken Funeral Home.

Jim was a resident of the Hammond area for the past 63 years.  He was a proud Navy veteran of WWII where he served in Morocco and Japan. Jim was retired from Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad as a switchman after 29 years of service.  He was a true outdoorsman who loved spending time with his wife fishing and traveling. He was musically gifted and could play about any instrument, but his passion was the Banjo and Blue Grass music. He was a loving devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather brother and friend who will be dearly missed.

For more information call Bocken Funeral Home at (219) 844-1600 or visit us at: www.bockenfunerals.com