Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas, beloved father, brother and friend, transitioned from this life on October 3, 2019. He was loved for his humor, smile and laughter, and knew how to put people at ease with his excellent conversational skills. If he was in the room, everyone knew he was there and he could turn any situation into story time and a comic show. He was a true warrior and was never down no matter what he was going through. He taught us all about perseverance, heart, empathy, forgiveness and embracing each other in our humanity. He was outgoing and kind-hearted, and gave us many incredible memories. He enjoyed trash talking, spending time with his children, eating good food, watching movies, storytelling, good music and fishing. Mark, affectionately known as “RED” as a boy, was born on October 14, 1958, to Ruby Thomas and Stanley Garfield Burton. Mark attended PS 42 and Erasmus Hall High in Brooklyn, New York. He served with the Army Reserves as a Tactical Satellite Microwave Systems Operator, and was honorably discharged. He attended Delaware Technical and Community College, in Dover, Delaware, where he received his Associates Degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. He worked many jobs over the years, utilizing his multifaceted skills, ranging from being a cable technician, to doing city maintenance, to being a timeshare salesman, to working as a substance abuse counselor. Mark was preceded in death by his mother and father, daughter, Tanasha Thomas; stepson, Trevor Banks; grandson, Siah James Thomas; brothers, Stanley Burton and Harold Burton; and sister Gloria Burton. Mark is survived by his beloved children, Kerine Thomas of Newark, NJ, Malcolm Thomas of Harrisonburg, VA, and Gloria Bontrager-Thomas, Mykah Joy Bontrager-Thomas and Zoe Bontrager-Thomas, all of Milford, DE. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rashard Thomas of New Jersey and Paris Wideman of Georgia; siblings, Margaret Thomas, Purvey Burton, Miriam Heywood, Theodore Burton, Theodora Lewis, Lenny Burton, Benjamin Burton, Keisha Ajose, Mary Burton, Bobby Burton, Leslie Burton, and Pertina Burton; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Mark Thomas

October 14, 1958 - October 7, 2019