Arnold Thomas

Celebrating the Life of Arnold Cedric Thomas

August 3, 1949 – July 26, 2022

Friends are invited to join the family at Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan, IL, 800 S. Genesee St., Waukegan, IL 60085

Charles J. Ivy Pastor

Date of Services: Saturday, August 13, 2022

Visitation @ 10:00 am

Celebration of Life Service @ 11:00 am

Early Years:  Arnold Cedric Thomas (ACT I) was born in Chicago, Illinois at Provident Hospital on August 3, 1949. He was the first child born to the union of Ezekiel Thomas and Mary Emma Cross. Arnold was a graduate of George Dewey Elementary, Lindblom Technical High School, and Illinois Institute of Technology, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering.

Through the years, Arnold would attend many other classes, conferences, and seminars in furtherance of his profession, and to improve his mind, which he continued fervently throughout his days. He seemed to always be in thought…

Church:   From childhood, Arnold attended Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. His mother began her membership there at only 3 years of age as the family membership extended through four generations. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at age 11 and was baptized by Rev. L.E. Cage.

Arnold chose service and leadership from an early age. As a youth and teen, he was a faithful Sunday School member and went on to teach several classes. As a strong believer in tithing, he did so consistently. He became an accomplished public speaker from these early beginnings. He joined the Youth Chorus, and later was accredited with lobbying Pastor to change the name to the Young Adult Choir, allowing for greater membership. Under his leadership, the choir grew to over 86 members who were sought out for numerous functions in, and out of the state. Arnold was also a member of the Junior Usher Board and rose to become President of the board, and the choir.

After marriage, Arnold and his wife, Sandra joined the First Grace Baptist Church. Under the direction of Pastor Nathan Shorter Sr. Arnold was ordained as a Deacon on April 29, 1979

In recent years, he was proud of his dedicated membership at Shiloh Baptist Church under the direction of Pastor Charles J. Ivy. He joined on August 4, 2019 and began working in a variety of sectors. He was a Security Team member, integral part of the Men’s Ministry, faithful Sunday School attendee, and a part of the shared space committee. He was confirmed as a member of the Board of Trustees on June 1, 2021. In January 2022 he was appointed as the boards Vice President. As a board member, he helped write and establish standards for how internal proposals were generated/requested, as well as room rental and share space agreements. Subsequently, he was appointed liaison and executor of a number of restructuring projects within the church. The acoustics project entailed installing brand-new sound panels in Shiloh’s Family Life Center. He also contributed to their Media Installation Project. The Door Renovation project ensured that the church had new doors throughout the building for safety purposes. His vision for enhancing the lives of the people in his community continues to be fulfilled, through the work he initiated.

Marriage:   Arnold and Sandra Thais Plummer met while pursuing their love for Christ. After courting for some time, Arnold married Sandra on July 12, 1975, at Ebenezer. As a couple, they enjoyed networking in many circles and were active in their community. To this union, two children were added. Aaron Christopher (ACT II) was born on Christmas 1979. Even still, the family did not feel complete, so they sought out the love of Stephanie Alyce through adoption in 1987. They rooted their family in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago where Aaron and Stephanie followed in his achievements. Arnold and Sandra remained committed to one another for 44 years until God called her home on October 10, 2019.

Career: Among Arnold’s callings were “Architect/Planner”, “Construction Project Director”, “Corporate Director of Design & Construction” as well as “Director of Strategic Planning & Operations.” He was first introduced to architecture in his third year of high school and became passionate about the field right away. It wasn’t uncommon to hear him say, “I am extremely blessed to formulate designs and concepts on paper in 2 dimensions, and then watch them come to life in 3D.”

It was incredibly fulfilling work and he is accredited for helping to construct 24 buildings in 8 domestic states and 10 countries abroad including, but not limited to: Israel, Europe, Asia, Mexico and Canada. His work spans 4 continents and was completed in 30 years. This work was fulfilled while he held positions at the following lucrative companies: ITT Bell & Gossett Corporation (13y), Motorola Inc. (11y), and Intel Corporation (5y).

Although his blessings were numerous, he always believed in service and giving back. Over the years, he became affiliated with many organizations. A condensed list of volunteer positions he held is as follows: CoreNet Global, American Management Association, Lake County YMCA – Chairman – Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives, Construction Specifications Institute – Board of Directors, Chicago Advisory Council – Chairman, Village of Hawthorn Woods – Architectural Advisory Committee, Association for Controlled Responsible Expansion (ACRE), Lake County Planning Associates.

Legacy: The true character of a man is not what he leaves behind, but who he touched while he was here. Perhaps, the most meaningful legacy Arnold leaves behind, is the way he cared for, and supported his family and friends. His wife- Sandra, son- Aaron, and daughter- Stephanie had a sedulous patriarch who embodied a man who would do whatever it took to provide for his family. He was taught that responsibility by his own father, and it became of vital importance to his integrity. Even in his professional life, he helped many colleagues (some who reported to him, but many who didn’t).

If you had a question, he had an answer. When he joked with you, you felt included. When he challenged you, you felt empowered. If he ever called you a friend, you were a friend for life. What he said, he believed. What he believed, he stood for. What he stood for, he passed on. What he passed on, is his legacy.

Arnold Cedric Thomas was preceded in death by his Father, Mother, and sister Ophelia Copeland of Troy AL.

He passed his final landmark on this side of Glory, to be with his wife in heaven, on the eve of July 26, 2022. He leaves to value his spirit, his; Son- Aaron (Shari); Daughter- Stephanie (Alonzo Greer); Sister- Brenda Carter (William); Grandchildren- Elijah, Aaliyah, Sa’ryiah, Kyle, Aari (ACT III), Aries, Athens, Selah, and Atlas; & Countless aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, neighbors, associates, and acquaintances.

Acknowledgement:

The family of Arnold C. Thomas is most grateful for all of your prayers, expressions of love, support and encouragement. We thank each of you for all that you have done, said or felt that reflects the love and respect you have for Arnold, and our family. In this time of loss that we all share, GOD’s grace shall renew our strength. May our LORD and SAVIOR continue to bless and keep each of us in HIS Abiding Love.

Final Arrangements Entrusted to and Entombment at:

Warren Funeral Home, Cemetery & Mausoleum

1475 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL 60031