Theodore "Ted" Wayne Thomas was born 'down-home' in Buchtel, Ohio,

to Autta E. and Lottie Coakley Thomas on March 29, 1937, and passed

away peacefully at home in Columbus on September 19, 2023. Ted proudly

served in the United States Air Force, where he realized the need for

higher education. He returned to Athens County and Ohio University,

where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education before

eventually landing in Columbus at The Ohio State University, where he

earned a Master of Science in Education. A Columbus Public Schools

teacher, Ted was past president of the Columbus Education Association

(CEA), a longtime staff consultant for CEA, business manager for the

Central Ohio Teachers Association (Central OEA/NEA), and an active past

member of the Ohio Education Association and National Education

Association.

Ted was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses Rodney

(Jean) Thomas, Shirley (Malachy) Sullivan, and Charlotte (Cletus)

Smathers, his niece Vicki (Ernest) Perkins, and nephews Greg and Scot

Smathers and great-nephew Matthew Thomas. Ted is survived by his

loving wife of 58 years, Carol Fischer Thomas, daughters Cheryl Burzynski

and Robyn Thomas; son-in-law Enno Fritsch, and grandchildren Makayla

Burzynski, Lyonel Fritsch, Calvin Burzynski, and Lukas Fritsch; nephews

Jerry Sullivan, Tom (Brenda) Thomas, Rocky (Nancy) Smathers, and niece

Debra (Greg) Wharton, numerous grand and great-grand nieces and

nephews, and a close-knit group of friends 'The Traveling Buckeyes.' Ted

is also survived by a team of outstanding Home Instead caregivers: Clara,

Kim, Arielle, Onyx, Shannon, Antoinette, Morgan, Rhea, Kathy, Vicki and

Jada. Thank you to the amazing staff at Ohio Health Hospice for providing

care and comfort to Ted and his family.

Ted had many four-legged family members throughout life, and leaves

behind his beloved dog Angel and the kitty cats. Ted's friendship, kindness,

warmth, curiosity, love, and humor will be missed. A memorial service will

be held at Christ United Methodist Church 1480 Zettler Road Columbus,

OH 43227 on Friday, November 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation with the family

will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Please wear your Scarlet and

Grey in honor of Ted, a real nut! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made

to Christ United Methodist Church, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, or charity of

choice.