Deforest Anthony Thomas, 64, went Home to be with the Lord on July 28, 2021. he was born on September 17, 1956 in Akron, Ohio.

He retired from Chagrin Valley Paving, Inc. in 2019. He had 13 years of schooling. He played football for South High School, graduating in 1974. He attended and played football for Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Falls, Iowa, and the University of Louisville, Kentucky.

Deforest is preceded in death by his father, Robert Thomas; sister, Annie Belle (Isaiah) Boykin; and aunt, Rosie Bonner (our second mom).

He is survived by his mother, Marie Thomas; sisters, Gail Thomas of Columbus, Ohio and Robin (Mark) Thrist of Akron, Ohio; nieces, Belle Burney of Houston, Texas and Roneisha M. Thrist of Akron, Ohio; nephew, Brandon M. Thrist of Akron, Ohio; and a host of other relatives and friends.