Obituary of Arthur Robert Thomas

Arthur Robert Thomas, 79, of Auburn, NY, passed away on April 4, 2025. He was born in Rome, NY, and grew up in Auburn, where he graduated from West High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War as a barber aboard the USS Mullinnix. He enjoyed attending annual ship reunions and visiting local VFW outposts. Arthur worked as a corrections officer for the New York State prison system and retired from Butler Correctional Facility. He also volunteered as a firefighter and served with the Aurelius Auxiliary Police. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In Auburn, Arthur was a familiar face at Lewis’s and Balloons, where he enjoyed the food and the company. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Owen Thomas, mother Jeannettie Leeson, his stepfather Raymond Leeson (who raised him from early childhood), and his dutiful sister Janice Leeson. He is survived by his brother Edward Leeson (Jean), sister Gail Bennett (Tim), nieces Erin Bennett and Lacey Angelier (Mario), great-niece Zadie Allen, and great-nephew Carson Angelier. Arthur will be laid to rest in Rome, NY, alongside his father. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to a local VFW post or a veterans’ organization of your choice.