Michael James Thomas

Michael James Thomas, 71, of Roanoke, Virginia, died on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital from end stage dementia.

Mike was born on September 24, 1954, in Fort Hood, Texas, to the late Richard J. Thomas and Janice L. Thomas. Mike earned a bachelor's degree of English from the Ohio State University and a master's degree of teaching Secondary Reading from Lesley College.

For 25 years, Mike patiently taught inner-city middle school students. One of his students' favorite assignments was writing to famous people and receiving replies from figures such as Sandra Day O'Connor, Neil Armstrong, and Stephen King. Despite a lifetime of seizures, powerful medications, and a left temporal lobe lobectomy, Mike lived fully - skydiving, skiing, riding motorcycles, hiking, running half-marathons, biking, woodworking, coaching, traveling, and writing prose and poetry. A former student remarked she knew she could face any problem and still lead a full life because of Mike's modeling. Mike was also an avid Ohio State football fan. Go BUCKEYES!

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Richard J. and Janice L. Thomas; and his brother, Richard M. Thomas.

His surviving family includes his loving wife, Sandra Thomas; brother, Jeff Thomas and wife, Cathie; and many nieces, nephews, and great- and great-great nieces and nephews.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful care, comfort, and support the staff gave to Mike during his time in Memory Care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in the auditorium at the Brandon Oaks Retirement Community located at 3804 Brandon Avenue in Roanoke, Virginia. A combined Celebration of Life for Mike and his brother, Rick, who sadly passed away just two weeks prior to Mike, will be held on August 28, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to the Brandon Oaks Auxiliary which supports Brandon Oaks Memory Care. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.

"Wishes and Dreams"
Just kiss me good-bye
And bid me farewell.
Whatever you do,

Please don't bother to dwell
On the number of things
That we didn't get done,
But instead think of all
The excitement and fun
We had walking together
Through forests and streams,

And talking together
Of wishes and dreams.
--Mike Thomas
Circa 1987

The writing has ended but the love and memories will never fade.