Dewey Lee Thomas, Jr., 51 of Heath passed away on January 1, 2026. He was born on November 5, 1974 in Zanesville, OH.

Lee served honorably in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Moose and a man who truly knew how to enjoy life and share that joy with others. He loved singing karaoke, playing cornhole, fishing, golfing, and was known as the Cornhole King. Lee had a gift for telling jokes and could light up a room with his humor and easygoing spirit. He loved his family and friends deeply and never met a stranger. Always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a way of ending conversations that friends and family will forever remember—with a heartfelt "By God."

He is survived by his son, Trevor (fiancée Haeily Trevino) Thomas; fiancée, Diana June; sisters, Maryann (Raymond) Harvey, Faye McKnight and Pamela (Josh) Payette; nieces and nephews, Jonathan (Jannie) Harvey, Tiffany Harvey, Patricia (Rich) Bradley, Shalona McKnight, Tequila (Angie Smith) McKnight, Tori Hazlette, Bayleigh Hazlette, Carl Rose II, Micheal (Pauline) Rose, Kimberlee (John) Hughes and Courtnie Bullock; and many great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Paula Faye (Parkinson) Thomas; niece, Crystal McKnight; and brother-in-law, Deaderick "Dee" McKnight.

The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark. Military honors provided by the Licking County Veterans Alliance will begin at 7pm followed by a time for family and friends to share memories of Lee.

Memorial contributions can be made to the family ℅ Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark, OH 43055.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.