Francis Wendell Thomas, known to many as Frank, was called home to God on August 23, 2026, at St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill. He was born on July 24, 1939, in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania, and lived a life marked by hard work, devotion to family, and steady friendship.

Frank attended Liberty High School and built a reputation as a dependable and dedicated man. He served our country faithfully in the Marines Corps, an experience that reflected his sense of duty and discipline. Those who knew him understood that he valued responsibility, loyalty, and perseverance, qualities that remained with him throughout his life.

Frank raised his family in Allentown, and devoted 36 years of service to Bethlehem Steel, where he worked until retirement. He was one of the last four employees there, a distinction that spoke to both his long tenure and his place in the history of an important local institution. His years at the steel mill were a significant part of his life, and he took pride in his work and in the friendships he formed there over the decades. He moved back to Fountain Hill after retirement, where he spent the remainder of his years surrounded by family.

Frank, "Pop-pop", loved the outdoors, his favorite activities were hunting, fishing, picnicking, birdwatching, stargazing with his telescope, adopting displaced dogs, and spending time with family. He was loved and will be GREATLY MISSED by all who knew him, as he welcomed EVERYBODY- human and animal alike with open arms.

In addition to his work history, Frank was active in organizations that reflected his interests and connections to the community. He was a member of the former Steel City Gun Club and the United Steelworkers Association. These affiliations were part of the life he built among friends and fellow workers, and they reflected the strong ties he maintained throughout the years.

SURVIVORS: Frank is survived by his children, Francine Smith and David Thomas of Fountain Hill. He was a proud grandfather to Yvonne, Jude, and Nadine Smith, Andrea (Thomas) Marley; and a loving great-grandfather to Jadyn, Alexia, and Aniyah Burton, and Rhyett Marley. His family was an important source of joy in his life, and he treasured the bonds he shared with each generation. Frank was the beloved son of the late Wendell Thomas and Pauline J. (Pachomski) Thomas. He was also predeceased by his wife of 31 years, Joan Andrea (Vetrosky) Thomas, who passed away on March 22, 1999.

SERVICES: A Celebration of Life will be held on September 12th at 5pm at the family home. Frank's services have been entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank's name to The Lehigh Valley Humane Society- 640 Dixon Street, Allentown, PA 18103.