Name:
Theodore Thomas, Jr.
Birth Date & Death Date
April 11th, 1948 - February 28th, 2010
Obituary:
On February 28, 2010, before the light of day, angels were dispatched from the portals of Heaven. Their directive was to select a skilled musician, a perfectionist who could tickle the ivories and illuminate heaven with the resonant tones of praise. From the heart of Minister Ted Thomas “Lord, let me be a light, let me shine, shine for Jesus” filled heaven as the angels welcomed an anointed musician home. Minister Theodore Thomas, Jr., was born to the union of the late Theodore and Gertrude Thomas, Sr. on April 11, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan. Ted accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church at the age of seven. In his late teens, he joined Goodwill Community Church, where he served as minister of music for over 40 years. Ted graduated from Highland Park High School. He furthered his education graduating from the Detroit Conservatory of Music and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. A gifted and versatile musician and arranger, Ted has appeared as guest conductor, consultant, producer, pianist and organist throughout the United States. He has arranged and performed with the Detroit and Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestras, as well as the famed Brazeal Dennard Chorale and Orchestra. Ted has performed in nine different countries in Europe and has ministered in Canada, South Africa and Ghana, West Africa as Chief Musician for United Faith International Mission Ministries of Las Vegas, Nevada for 25 years. He also served as a pianist and assistant to the late Max Davey, Musical Producer and Artistic Director of Concert Series, Inc. He performed throughout Michigan and the United States with celebrities, such as Shari Lewis and Elasner Lan O’Kun to name a few. Ted recently had the privilege of singing and playing the National Anthem and Black National Anthem with his six-man cadre “Sound Virtue” at the prestigious Annual NAACP International Freedom Fund Dinner at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit. The unique arrangement for his performance was televised on Comcast Cable Network and can be heard on http://www.youtube.com. Ted Thomas was also an ordained minister at Goodwill Community Church, under the leadership of Pastor Bernice Winfrey. He served as Assistant National Supervisor of the Youth and Young Adult Department of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, Inc. founded by the late Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, composer of the gospel hymn, “Precious Lord Take My Hand”. Dr. Dorsey, writer, composer and Father of Gospel Music, inspired Ted to cultivate his God-given talent. For the past 44 years, he traveled to various cities attending the convention each August. Ted’s current pursuit was cataloging and documenting the varied musical works that he had been inspired to create for performances, publishing and distribution. Last Saturday, commemorating the celebration of Black History Month. Ted cataloged and documented from his soul to us the song, “Precious Lord Take My Hand.” As he graciously portrayed Dr. Dorsey, the phrase “I am tried, I am weak and I am worn”, empathetically resonated through his voice. Ted’s loving and devoted parents preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memory: two sisters, Terry Carter and Patricia Thomas; one nephew, Michael Anthony Jason Thomas (Tenisha); great niece and nephew; and a host of relatives, friends, his Goodwill family and the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.
Cemetery:
Woodlawn Cemetery
19975 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48203 (map/driving directions)
Visitations:
9:00AM to 9:00PM on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at James H. Cole Northwest Chapel (map/driving directions)

Services:
In-state at 10:00AM, Service at 11:00AM at Goodwill Community Chapel on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 (map/driving directions)