Kenneth Thomas

Kenneth Thomas, 64, son of the late Annette Pattlefoot and Jacob Strand, and the 6th of their 8 children, of Chester, PA, died March 15. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Valerie McMillian Thomas; their daughter, Tyshedia Shunee Thomas; two grandchildren, Tyleem and Shalia Thomas; seven siblings: Dolores Slaughter, and Geraldine, Wendy, Donald, Ruth, Mary, and Gloria Thomas; adopted sister, Fannie Yvonne Stephens; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, George Nock. Kenny or KT, as he was affectionately called, attended Temple Baptist Church, where he was baptized as a child. He also attended Chester-Upland public schools and graduated from Chester High School in 1978. After high school, he received training as an auto mechanic at a Delaware County, PA trade school. Kenny had a passion for dismantling and reassembling bikes as a child. This passion led to a bigger one of collecting and driving classic cars, especially Corvettes. He even owned a matching orange Corvette and motorcycle. He loved anything that moved on wheels. Kenny was a man’s man. He also enjoyed fishing, BBQing, cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles, sporting his caps and fancy hats, jewelry and fashion, and listening to surveillance incidences on his police scanner. He loved to travel, and especially enjoyed boats and water, as well as the mountains. He also enjoyed eating out at some of his favorite restaurants, fancying himself as a restaurant connoisseur. Kenny was also a real family man. He loved gathering and hosting family and holiday events, taking his family on trips, being an instrumental part in raising his grandchildren and ensuring they were on a path to education and success. Not only did he teach his grandchildren how to drive, but he made sure they always had reliable transportation from among his fleet of cars to get to work and around town. In fact, Kenny believed in guiding all the youth of the family. They never wanted Pop-Pop or Uncle Kenny to know when they messed up; they would surely disappoint him. Kenny was a human map with a great sense of direction and could find his way to any location. He was often called on by family and friends alike for advice on car-buying, or for help after accidents or when they were stranded. He was the transportation fix-it man. It is no surprise that Kenny spent 21 years as a bus operator for SEPTA. Kenny started his career as an auto mechanic at Sears in Media. He also held jobs at Boeing, and as a prison guard at both Delaware and Chester County correctional facilities, and as a limousine driver. He ended his career at SEPTA in 2021. He spent his last years enjoying his passions—cars, travel, food, and family. In lieu of flowers, expressions of condolences and contributions can be sent to the Thomas Family at 207 Milford Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19809.

Kenneth Thomas

January 1, 1960 - March 15, 2024