Alex Thomas

Dr. Alex Thomas, born 30 June 1944, passed away peacefully on 7 August 2023 at his Catawba Island home in the company of his family. He leaves behind his dear wife, Bonnie, his two sons (and daughters in law), Scott (Sabrina) and Craig (Erin), his beloved grandchildren Summer, Gordon, and Regina, and his step-mother Regina, affectionately known as “Mac.”

A US Army veteran, respected school psychologist, and esteemed university professor, Alex found great joy in his life with Bonnie and, in later years, loved more than anything to hear tales of his grandchildren’s exploits.

Born to Frank and Joan Thomas in London, England, during World War II, Alex was raised in New York City and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School. He ventured westward to the University of Toledo, where he earned his PhD in Educational Psychology, but not before marrying his college sweetheart Bonnie in 1967, and then serving in Germany as a US Army officer, and studying in London, before returning to Ohio.

Alex and Bonnie bought their house on Catawba Island in 1972 and established deep roots in the Port Clinton community, with Alex serving as School Psychologist for the Port Clinton school system and eagerly spearheading any levy issue, booster program, or community fund-raiser in need of his indefatigable tenacity and administrative prowess.

In 1990, Alex traded PC’s walleye for Oxford’s ivy when he accepted a professorship at Miami University, where he retired as Professor Emeritus and Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology. Passionate about school psychology, Alex twice served as President of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), conceived and co-edited the “Best Practices in School Psychology” textbook, now in its seventh edition, and originated the “Communique”, NASP’s professional newsletter.

After retiring in 2004, Alex enjoyed traveling the world with Bonnie (often on bike tours joined by close friends), and visiting his sons and their families in far-flung locations. In later years, Alex took great pride in contributing to the success of the Port Clinton lighthouse, tinkering in the garden, and whiling away evenings chatting on the porch with family and friends. Wry and irreverent to the end, Alex’s lifetime of service earned him the love of colleagues, friends, and family. We are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind. He will be missed.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 11, 2023 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1124 Fulton St. Port Clinton, OH. Private interment will take place at a later date at Catawba Island Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy, P. O. Box 389, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com .