JOHN VERRAN THOMAS M.D.

John Verran Thomas, M.D, of Duluth, passed away Oct. 25, 2009 in St. Luke's Hospital.

Dr. John V. Thomas was born Dec. 8, 1921 in Duluth to John and LaRue Verran Thomas.

He attended Duluth schools, the Duluth Junior College and University of Minnesota, graduating from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1946.

He married Margaret Anne Bateman on March 30, 1946, and together they traveled to Albany, NY for his internship. He attended the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas, to become a flight surgeon, then was assigned duty with the Fifth Air Force in Japan. When he and Margaret returned to the States in 1949 he began a four-year surgical residency at Veterans Hospital in Fort Snelling. In 1954 with their two small sons they made Duluth their permanent home, and he set up his solo practice, limited to surgery, which he continued for 33 years.

He was a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was instrumental in the establishment of the UMD Medical School and also of the Miller-Dwan Burn Center. He served as Chief of Staff both of St. Luke's Hospital and of Miller-Dwan Hospital. He was given the Harold S. Diehl Award and other recognitions for his volunteer efforts in the medical field. In 1969 he was deeply impressed by his short-term mission work at a Methodist hospital in the Congo. He retired from surgical practice in 1987, then spent 20 years as a medical director of the DCI Plasma Center.

John loved music, had a fine baritone voice and sang in the Nordic Choral Ensemble while in college, later with the Brothers in Song and Harbormasters, and all his life in church choirs.

He also enjoyed studying art, and had an extensive collection of fine prints. His interests included golf, carpentry, fishing, HO model railroading, kite flying, and skiing and camping trips with his family. He was active several years with the Duluth Playhouse, and in teaching English as a Second Language. He was a lifelong member of the Lester Park United Methodist Church and its choir. He was also a 32nd degree Mason, and belonged to the Scottish Rite, Lakeside Lodge.

He loved to teach and his five children learned many skills from being with him, A loving and very generous husband, father and grandfather, he leaves a legacy of honor and integrity.

He was predeceased by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Margaret; his brother, Walter (Gladys) of Pittsburgh; sons, William (Cynthia) of Minneapolis, Charles of Mankato, and Paul (Mara) of Minneapolis; and daughters, Mary (Michael) Henle of Williamsburg, Va., and Jane (Edward) Gracza of Roseau; and six grandchildren, Dylan, Claire, Philip, Rose. James and Gabriel.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, with Visitation one hour prior to the service, in Lester Park United Methodist Church, 5401 E. Superior St. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Church or to the UMD Medical School Scholarship Fund would be appreciated. please leave a memory of Dr. Thomas or words of support for the family at www.mem.com Arrangements by Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home. 218-722-5131.