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Wednesday Night Out May 24 in Old Town Florissant
Plaque Dedication For the Late Rance Thomas at
Proud to be an American Day in Old Town Florissant
Mayor Tim Lowery has announced that the City along with Old Town Partners will host a plaque dedication to unveil a plaque in honor of the late Rance Thomas. This will be the 57th Walk through History plaque in honor of someone who has made a valuable contribution to the City of Florissant.
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 24th at 5:30 p.m. in front of 410 rue St. Francois. The plaque dedication will take place before the start of the first Wednesday Night Out festivities “Proud To Be An American” which is being hosted by the VFW Post 4105.
Rance Thomas was a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Vietnam conflict. He was also a columnist, professor, author, visionary and community leader for social justice. He was a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Southern Illinois University and Saint Louis University, where he received his PhD.
Following his military service, Dr. Thomas became a faculty member at Lewis & Clark Community College, where he retired in 2002 as the first Professor Emeritus in the college’s history. He also served as adjunct faculty at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. During his time as a college professor, Dr. Thomas became a regular columnist for numerous publications including ; St Louis Post-Dispatch, The Alton Telegraph and The Independent News Shortly before his death, he published his book, “My Journey, A Testimony of Faith, Hope and Success.”
Dr. Thomas’ vision and selfless devotion to his community led him to cofound North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice in 1998 which consists of 20+ churches of various denominations in North St. Louis County. He served as its President since its inception. He was president of the Elijah P. Lovejoy Memorial, President of the Florissant Rotary Club and President of the Lewis and Clark Community College’s Annuitant Association. He also organized the North St. Louis County Youth Task Force and served honorably as its Chairman.
Dr. Thomas also received numerous awards in his lifetime which include being inducted into the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Hall of Fame, the Who’s Who in the Midwest, the Illinois Education Association’s Human and Civil Rights Award, Citizen of the Year Award for Contributions in improving the quality of life in North County, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hazelwood School District, was inducted into the International Educator’s Hall of Fame and was awarded the Dr. Rance Thomas Community Partnership Award, created in his honor, by St Louis Community College, Florissant Valley
However, his greatest award and achievement, that anyone who knew him have said, is simply being a good neighbor and friend to the many great people that lived in the North St Louis County community.
