To achieve ones calling is one of the greatest gifts, and Rev. Thomas M. Douglas was a man who followed after God’s own heart. Thomas knew from a young age he was meant for the ministry, and through his growing faith, he came to be a servant of the Lord. A man of integrity, honesty and dignity, he delighted all with his personable, yet God fearing ways. He shared the Gospel in a humble yet profound manner as he served with grace. Deeply missed, he will be fondly remembered for his contribution to God’s kingdom and the spirit of goodness which followed him through the days of his life.

A decade of industrial expansion, the Roaring Twenties was an era of prosperity and good fortune in the U.S. The spirit of America was evident as the Lincoln Memorial was honorably dedicated at a time when prohibition was law of the land. Yet life for Meade Barnabas and Lucinda “Lucy” Belle (McDonald) Douglass was filled with blessings when on Jan. 21, 1922, when they welcomed the birth of their son, Thomas Meade Douglass.

Born in the small borough of Cherry Tree, Penn., young Thomas grew up in the Pine Grove Church of God in the West Pennsylvania Conference. Raised in a family of faith, Thomas’ faithful beginnings were found at home and in the church. A bustling household, Thomas was one of nine children. He attended the local schools, and although the onset of the Great Depression and the years that followed tested their faith, Thomas and his family held fast to God’s promises.

Having graduated from Green Township High School in Commodore, Penn. in 1940, Thomas answered his call to the ministry in 1944 while attending a church camp on the Fox Farm in Alverton, Penn. After enrolling as a student at the denomination’s college in Findlay, Ohio, Thomas went on to graduate from Findlay College with a major in philosophy and a minor in English. However, while a student at Findlay, Thomas was exceedingly blessed when he met Betty Janice Wigent of Columbia City. She was a student in the science department, and the two were joined in marriage on June 30, 1946, in the Findlay College Chapel. That very year, at the young age of 24 while a student at Findlay College, the Indiana Conference licensed Pastor Douglas, and asked him to plant a mission church in Fort Wayne, now known as Anthony Wayne First Church of God.

On Aug. 20, 1947, the Indiana Conference ordained Pastor Douglas and assigned him to pastor Mt. Tabor Church of God near Nappanee, Indiana where he served for eleven years. In time, Thomas and Betty added to their family with the births of three children, Robert Wayne, Douglas Lee, and Gay Lynne. Fine examples for their children to live by, as a couple they guided their children in faith and provided a good and loving home for them. Although they happily moved wherever God called them, numerous and treasured memories were made over the years as a family that are recalled with cherished remembrance.

Thomas went on to further his education with courses at Goshen College in Goshen. He attended and completed courses at Olivet College in Kankakee, Ill., and completed his graduate work at Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay, Ohio. On June 6, 1960, Thomas was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Findlay College.

Following his time in Nappanee, Thomas’ next assignment was at Leadwood First Church of God in Leadwood, Mis. He was then called to pastor First Church of God in Columbia City. In 1966, Pastor Douglas was credentialed as a General Conference Evangelist. Although they made their family home in Columbia City, for the next eight years Thomas served as a full time evangelist. In 1974, he was assigned to pastor the Church of God in Syracuse, before moving on to First Church of God in Indianapolis. Returning to Columbia City, he then became pastor at Oak Grove Church of God.

At the age 65, Thomas accepted an assignment at Congress Hill Church of God in Franklin, Penn. Expecting to retire in 1989, he and Betty moved to Sarasota, Fla. where he became involved in ministry at First Church of God. There he served as a volunteer associate in charge of Prayer and Care in addition to preaching on special occasions. In 1993, he was assigned to First Church of God in Osprey, Fla. where he remained for 17 years until a stroke in July of 2010 forced him to finally retire at the age 88.

Pastor Douglas served both the Indiana and Missouri Conferences as president, and also served on the Administrative Council of the Churches of God. He faithfully served on the board of Suncoast Evangelical Association where in 1996 the SEA honored him with the “Faithful Servant” award for which he was humbled. In addition, Thomas was a past member of the Lions Club, Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club.

Family was extremely important to Thomas, and in them he found great joy. He was very proud of his children, and like their father before them, they went on to also serve the Lord. His son Robert also graduated from Findlay College and Winebrenner Seminary and today is an ordained minister living in Sarasota, Florida. Douglas Lee also serves as a pastor in LaFayette, Georgia, and also graduated from Findlay College and Winebrenner Seminary. Tom and Betty’s daughter, Gay Lynne, met and married Dan Ledley while attending Fort Wayne Bible College. Dan is ordained and a graduate of Winebrenner Seminary, now serving a church near Casey, Illinois. Thomas considered himself abundantly blessed.

In 70 years of ministry, Pastor Douglas served ten churches in addition to eight years as a full time evangelist. Through the Word of God, Thomas touched the lives of many, encouraged all, and made a multitude of friendships along the way. Although deeply missed, Thomas spent his last day with his beloved wife and helpmate, Betty by his side. His new journey has begun in his heavenly home.

Rev. Thomas Meade Douglas DD, 93, of Sarasota, Fla. , formerly of Columbia City, passed away at 2:52 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at the Sunnyside Health and Rehab Facility.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years: Betty Janice (Wigent) Douglas, Sarasota, Fla.; sons: Rev. Robert W. (Judy) Douglas, Bradenton, Fla.; and Rev. Douglas Lee (Rebecca) Douglas, Lafayette, Ga.; daughter: Gay Lynne (Rev. Dan) Ledley, Casey, Ill.; grandsons: Jonathan B. Douglas, Knoxville, Tenn.; Andrew D. Douglas, Wesley Chapel, Fla.; Douglas Nathan Douglas, Huntington, W.V.; Caleb C. Ledley, Terra Haute; Thomas P. Douglas, Lafayette, Ga.; granddaughters: Gretchen (Re. Ballard) Wood, Columbia City; Dr. Charin (Michael) Hanlon, Wilmington, N.V.; Angela (Kevin) Parnell, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Danelle (Johnny) Jackson, Charleston, Ill.; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Sheldon Charles Douglass; David Daniel Douglass; Harlie Edgar Douglass; sisters: Loleta Mae Stahl; Martha Drucilla Stiffler; Mable Kathren Douglas; Vivian Anna Will; Alverda “Berdie” Stutzman; and daughter-in-law: Sharon (Culbertson) Douglas.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, August 9, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 10, 2015, at First Church of God, with visitation one hour prior. Rev. Douglas L. Douglas and Rev. Dan Ledley will be officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Grove Compton Cemetery. Memorials may be given in his memory to Winebrenner Seminary, Findlay, Ohio.