John Barry Thoma

January 30, 2023

CHARLOTTE – John Barry Thoma, 86, passed on Monday, January 30, 2023, with his family by his side.  He grew up in Mt. Lebanon, a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA.

John graduated from Shady Side Academy, Franklin & Marshall College and West Virginia University with a Master’s degree in Science.  He was an avid tennis player who played through college and into adulthood.  John joined the plastics division of Sinclair Koppers where he worked in the sale of monofilaments.  He went on to work for General Electric as a Lexan polycarbonate market development specialist, devising new ways that this innovative plastic could replace metal in power tools.  At Hooker Chemical, he provided polyester resin as a component for the fuel system of the Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine.  Finally, he joined EMS American Grilon, a Swiss company that manufactures nylon resins.  He was a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association and the Society of the Plastics Engineers.

John is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Janet; his daughters, Christine Berndt and her husband, Ken, Janet Whittaker and her husband, Shawn and Heidi Wilke and her husband, Jim; grandchildren, John Van Zeeland and his wife, Hannah, Brooke Van Zeeland and wife, Maggie, Janet Hill and her husband, Brandon, Lauren Sloan and her husband, David, John Andrew Wilke, and Shelby Wilke.  He is also survived by his five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Southminster, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Fort Mill Schools, PO Box 476, Fort Mill, SC 29716, where a scholarship for a graduating tennis player will be established in John’s memory.  https://www.foundationforfortmillschools.org/get_involved/donate.html

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Randy & Cille Richardson

    Heidi, we are so sorry for the loss of your sweet dad but heaven became a little sweeter as your dad entered and walked the streets of gold. You and your family are close in our hearts and our prayers. Love to you all

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  • Maureen Van Zeeland

    Janet and family, So sorry for the loss of your husband , dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers! Sending Love,Hugs,and Prayers?❤️?Maureen

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  • Nicole Williams

    Mama J and the entire Thoma family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Love you all
    Nicole

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  • Scott & Tammy Wells

    Heidi,
    We are thinking about you guys and sending prayers for comfort and peace. Many hugs!

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  • Jill Van Wyk

    Heidi, you and your family have our deepest sympathy! It's always hard losing your family member! Hugs to you all! Luv you all!?

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  • Nancy Eliades

    Heidi & Family,
    It’s so heartbreaking to lose one you love. My thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace are with you.
    Nancy

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  • Jan Hoffecker

    Prayers for everyone at this time of your loss..knowing he is in the arms of our savior is such a pleasure to you all. Keep his memories alive in each other and close to your heart.
    Hugs to everyone
    Jan Hoffecker

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