John Campbell Thomas, 69, of Huntley, formerly of Cary, died on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at Northwestern Hospital in Huntley.
John was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on August 11, 1952, to parents John and Nancy (McClellan) Thomas. While in high school, John met and was quickly smitten with Diana Gunkel. They were married on February 6, 1971, in Stevensville, Michigan. John was a proud veteran of the United States Army, where he served as a military policeman from January 5, 1972, to December 11, 1973, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal as well as the Good Conduct Medal. John was an active member of Focus Martial Arts, where he practiced and taught Shotokan Karate. He was also involved in multiple ministries at Willow Creek Huntley Church: the High Road Riders, the Man Chef Club, the Student Impact Ministry, and he served as the head pastor of Pastoral Care. He also served as The Drama Ministry Director at Living Grace Community Church in Cary, Illinois.
John’s true passions in life were his family and his faith in Jesus. He loved to spend time fishing with his grandkids and making his signature beef stroganoff for the holidays. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and loved them beyond words. John’s legacy is truly the people he left behind. He was a kind, compassionate, humble, and generous man who loved and cared for everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Diana Thomas, his children, Kelleen (Michael) Airhart, Amy (Jeff) Nelson, Kate Thomas, and Andrew (Meredith) Thomas, his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Taylor, Alexandra, Payton, Isabella, Trevor, Toby, Tru, and Jude, his siblings, Jeff (Mary) Thomas, Laurel Bell, Lynda (Scott) Benkel, and LisaBeth Thomas, many nieces and nephews, and his faithful canine companion, Hunter.
John was preceded in death by his parents, step-parents, and his granddaughter, Hope.
Visitation for John will be Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 3 p.m. to time of funeral service 4 p.m. at Willow Creek Community Church, 38W133 Huntley Road, Dundee Township. A reception in honor of John will immediately follow the service,
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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I am so sad for the lose of John. He mentioned another to my Dad and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers for your family. Diane
John had a heart that was bigger than him. He loved life and people in his life loved him. I will miss my friend John. My heart is broken.
To know Papa, is to love him. He was one of God's best. My heart is broken knowing that he is gone, but I'm so happy knowing that he is with God and that he was loved by so many.
We are saddened by the passing of John. We will always be grateful for the gift of hope and peace he so generously gave us at the beginning of this year when he visited our home. We pray for comfort for those he left behind~
Condolences to your family on your loss sending prayers
My heart is heavy as I heard of this news. May God grant you comfort during this grave time, Diana. My love to you and your family!
My heart hurts. I’m so thankful that I was touched by John. My prayers go out to John’s family for their loss.
We have lost a gem of a man. In my short time knowing John and some of his family at Willow Creek Church/Huntley, I was struck by the friendliness of those family members. John remembered me and we were friends on Facebook. My deepest and sincere sympathies go out to Diana and Andrew and the entire Thomas Family. What a model man and his family. He was a godly man in the utmost way.
I am extremely sorry for your loss of Uncle John. When I saw him this spring at my parents house it had been a long time since we had seen each other, his first words to me were "How's it going BK" It made my smile inside instantly Aunt Diana. I will miss him very much
We are so very sorry for your loss. John is an amazing man; Heaven has gained a faithful servant. Our love and prayers are with you all.
The phrase “there are no words” seems like the only thing that fits right now. Amy, though I never met your father, he must have been an amazing man to have raised a daughter like you. Sending much love to you and your family. I love you, girl!
I will miss John at church standing by the prayer room door or sitting inside praying for others. Loved seeing his daily FB mesages stating ejatnday.it m is.and asking how he can pray for you. for anyone. What a kind gentle soul.
My Heart is very sad…I will always feel honored by John from the first day I met him and he welcomed me as family ..I’m going to miss you Buddy until we meet again…Love you…GOD BLESS THOMAS FAMILY…
I will miss John in church, standing by the door to the prayer room or inside praying for others. Several times a week I would see his FB post naming the day, "it is Tuesday, how can I pray for you". What a gentle, kind, and funny soul. You are so missed John.
Dear Kate and Thomas Family, We wish you comfort in the knowledge of your Father being comforted by Angels in Heaven. May his memory and legacy bring you love and peace.
While I didn’t know John well, I got to know him through his involvement at Focus Martial Arts while my daughter Rebecca Fishman was training and competing there.. We have a picture of John presenting Rebecca with one of her belts as she advanced through the ranks, . Rebecca and I have nothing but very fond memories of John, and the few times I had the good fortune to interact with him directly he was always gracious, kind and thoughtful. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Make John’s memory always be for a blessing to all who knew him.
John, Thank you for always being there with a willingness to listen, with solid biblical truth, and a heart to pray continually. You were an excellent example for other Christian men and my heart breaks that I can no longer reach out on those days when the world seems overwhelming. I will miss you my friend. ~RV
John was kind and compassionate to me and my wife Lorrie. He visited my home after I had my back surgery, sat with me and prayed for me. After my wife Lorrie had a severe care accident and again after being diagnosed with cancer John was there lifting Lorrie and I up in prayer. We thank our good God for John’s loving kindness and genuine love. You will be missed my friend. Glen & Lorrie Albano
John was kind and compassionate to me and my wife Lorrie. He visited my home after I had my back surgery, sat with me and prayed for me. After my wife Lorrie had a severe care accident and again after being diagnosed with cancer John was there lifting Lorrie and I up in prayer. We thank our good God for John’s loving kindness and genuine love. You will be missed my friend. Glen & Lorrie Albano
John was kind and compassionate to me and my wife Lorrie. He visited my home after I had my back surgery, sat with me and prayed for me. After my wife Lorrie had a severe care accident and again after being diagnosed with cancer John was there lifting Lorrie and I up in prayer. We thank our good God for John’s loving kindness and genuine love. You will be missed my friend. Glen & Lorrie Albano
Elizabeth & I are very sorry for your loss of john. John was a very good Christian man. I meet John on his first day work for Siemens Medical Systems. In the course of my 31 years at Siemens, I had work with John in a wide array of positions. John always made every effort to do the right things for this customers, company & coworkers. It times this was very challenging & unpopular. John always held this course. Our common ground was our faith in God & our collective efforts to do the best we could in the most difficult of circumstances. John will be well received by his Lord or God. He will suffer no more & is currently being held in the arms of our savior. Vey best Wishes to his friends & family.
John is one of the best humans I know. He was gracious, kind, smart, funny-I could go on and on. He was also much admired and loved by many, many fellow Siemens people. I asked him what retirement was like and he said “every day is Saturday” He was so happy to be home with his family I’m so sorry for your huge, huge loss ❤️
I had the immense pleasure of working with John for years at Siemens. One of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. Never said a bad word about anyone and was always there to support and uplift those around him.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. He is still the best Jesus I have ever seen in a play. We truly lost a great brother in Christ.
My brother John has always been an ole soul. Since I can remember John has been a man who has walked by faith. A true example of what the Lord would desire of us to demonstrate love and kindness. His laughter, his very own special laugh, that “our brother John Thomas laugh”, resonates in my heart and mind. Such a contagious laugh. His love and unwavering devotion to his bride Diana who he always regarded as his one and only, his affection and joy of all his children, his love of family and friends, were to me such an inspiration. His guidance and tenderness as a brother (with no “step” in it) was his precious gift to me. Always a loving Uncle to my sons, John and Murray who loved and respected him. My husband Scott, felt a connection with my brother, John and in the short time he had with him-felt a genuine caring. He had hoped to have more time but is so thankful to have even known him. Always such a blessing! You will be sorely missed, my handsome, sweet, funny brother! I will miss everything about you but will draw on the memories of all our shared moments and all your shared life experiences to remember you by until we meet again. Dear Sweet Diana, Kelly and family, Amy and family, Kate and Andrew and family, Laurel, Lisa, Jeff and family-and friends, praying for all of you as we walk this journey. A life well lived!!! Forever in our hearts! Life and loss can be brutal but... OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD! His promises are TRUE!  Love, Lynda and Scott
Sending healing thoughts to the entire Thomas Family. This is such heartbreaking news. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Deepest condolences Diana and family. John will be missed on Earth, but loved and remembered for eternity.
Loved you to the moon, brother. I had so much fun fishing with you. We caught some pretty respectable fish. I know you promised not to leave me. I forgive you. Breathe easy and let your love shine down upon us.
John has been such a wonderful brother in Christ. Loved his work on the Living Last Supper we did years ago that made such an impact to so many who saw it. Worked together on our 50th anniversary Jubilee. Was such a strong supporter of his grandchildren also at Trinity Oaks like ours. You will be missed, but legacy will live on. Our prayers and support go out to the family.
John's peaceful and steady demeanor always indicated that he had spent much time with our Lord and Savior. He kindly visited our family in the hospital when a loved one became suddenly and seriously ill, and he had a gift for conveying empathy to our family members whom he barely knew. I will miss our mutual love for all things Michigan State, and his passion for conveying the love of Jesus to others. He was a great man. I'll see you one day soon John!
Dearest Thomas Family….. Pastor Dan and I are praying for God’s peace and presence for all of you. I cannot imagine your sorrow but rejoice with you that John is now living with Jesus, where we will all be joined together soon. I know that each one of you will continue his deep legacy of faith in Christ. Much love.
Sending prayers, hugs and love to Diana and family.
Diana..Im so very very sorry to hear about John. Its just for a season till you meet again. Our savior has him in his sweet arms. Ill be thinking and praying for you Rosanne
My condolences to the entire Thomas family. There are no words that can be spoken to express the sadness of John’s passing. This one hurts! Thank You JT for being in my path over the last 9 years. You will truly be missed. Until we meet again. RIP Brother.
We say goodbye to a true treasure at Willow Huntley. He was one of my first friends at our new church and became a mentor as well. To know he'll be waiting for us right next to Jesus is a very comforting thought.
We are so sorry to hear about John, unfortunately we are out of town and can’t attend the memorial Many years ago when John and I first met at Focus, he mentioned that either he could be a positive influence on me or I could be a negative influence on him ! John my friend, you won ! Rest In Peace my good buddy. Diana, Andrew and Kate, may you find comfort in knowing he is in a better place We miss you all
So very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He touched so many lives and was such a great pray warrior for many. John prayed with me many times and it always gave me such comfort. I pray for the peace and comfort to the whole Thomas family. Know your loved on will be missed!
John was always my big brother at focus. I miss our conversations and fellowship. I miss his presence. Rest In Peace.
PSALM 34:18
We are so sorry to hear about John, unfortunately we are out of town and can’t attend the memorial Many years ago when John and I first met at Focus, he mentioned that either he could be a positive influence on me or I could be a negative influence on him ! John my friend, you won ! Rest In Peace my good buddy. Diana, Andrew and Kate, may you find comfort in knowing he is in a better place We miss you all
I knew John and Diana as a new young couple. Always devoted to each other. My deepest sympathy to Diana and his family.
Not a day goes by brother.....I always think of something about you that makes my heart smile. I wonder what your up to, there in heaven.
May the family be at peace and find comfort in the memories they share. Thank you for your services, John. God bless!
I wish to send sincere condolences to Diana and family. John was such a beautiful man, who always beamed love out into the world, I met him as a teenager when we stayed at the Chalets on the Lake & even so young, I could feel his very calming “presence”. It was uncanny because I was used to feeling chaos & teenage strife, but he seemed to float above it all, for lack of better words. Our paths would cross at Family Reunions and Facebook messages here & there & it was obvious how much seemingly endless love he generously shared. He was wise. He was funny. He was joyful & positive, upbeat. When talking with him one to one, it felt like he held a big umbrella up & shielded us from whatever storm was being felt at the time. Those are my indelible memories of John & I’ll never forget him.
Dear brother....it feels like forever and yet like yesterday since you left us. You are so very missed. We all love you so much and we will see you again one day!!!
It's been a year and I still greatly miss Papa T. I attended Huntley Willow Creek Church regularly and he was my small group minister leader. I was not too close with John but, he always made me feel wanted and welcomed. He cared for me as if I were his son and I could always talk to him whenever and wherever. I would have never thought he would pass at this age because of how invincible he was from his motorcycling and his prestigious black belt in karate. John was and is someone I will always look up to as he was much more than just a small group leader and that's why we called him Papa T. I miss him very much and I know that one day I will see him again and he'll give me a big bear hug as I can tell him everything that he missed. I love you Papa T and its hard to think that you aren't here anymore but, I know you are in a better place and you are will Jesus now. I miss you and I can't wait to the day when I can see you again.