John Thomason

John graduated from Ramsay High School in 1952, and then progressed to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute where he graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in 1959.

John Thomason’s love of Auburn University (what the Alabama Polytechnic Institute would eventually become) was legendary. Family get togethers, vacations, weddings, and funerals were rescheduled if conflicts with football Saturday ever came up. War Eagle!

In December 1959, John went on his first date with the woman who would become the love of his life. By Valentine’s Day, Betty and John were engaged, and on June 11, 1960, they were married. In June, 2020 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a nice meal in for lunch and a Zoom meeting with their children and grandchildren.

When they lived in Birmingham John and Betty were members of All Saints Episcopal Church where Betty was also a teacher. It was there that the Thomasons met the Kinmans - Ken and Mary, and a lifelong friendship followed. Their children, Carolyn, Alice, and Susan, are like daughters to Betty and John. When Betty passed away in August, 2020, Alice and Susan made sure that they called John each week to check in with him and share stories.

Another great friendship John enjoyed was that with Betty’s first cousin, Elease Smith. They spoke on the phone often, with the only lapses in communication being around the week of the Iron Bowl. One or the other would be upset by the outcome of the game and the winning team’s fan presumably did not want to gloat.

In Chattanooga Betty and John were members of Trinity Lutheran Church. This is where they renewed their vows in 2010 on their 50th wedding anniversary.

John retired from US Foundry in Homestead, FL after a long career in engineering including time spent at Clow Industries in Birmingham, AL, Rockwell International and then Eureka Foundry, both in Chattanooga, TN.

John is survived by his children, Greg Thomason (Leila) and Michelle Thomason Sariev (Tahir). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brandon Thomason-Maraschiello (Jessica) and Megan Michelle Thomason. Finally, John leaves behind an assortment of fur babies and grandbabies: Molly, Kate, Mary Elisabeth, Bosco, Freya, Wallace, Ruby, Winnie, Hank, Rorschach, Muad’dib, Mikasa, and Melkor.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life with an in person and virtual option to be scheduled in the future.

John’s love of Auburn football was only outmatched by his love of dogs. The family asks that donations in his memory be made to local dog rescues and/or the humane society.