Courts, bar association honor late attorney R. Charles Thomas

Apr. 10—Late attorney R. Charles Thomas was honored Tuesday by Crawford County's legal community in a special memorial session of Crawford County Court of Common Pleas.

Thomas died at the age of 90 on June 4, 2021, after having practiced law in the county for 61 years.

Crawford County Court of Common Pleas and the Crawford County Bar Association honors those attorneys who still were practicing law when they passed.

Thomas, a Meadville native, was a 1947 graduate of St. Agatha High School and a 1952 graduate of St. Bonaventure University. He earned his law degree from Dickinson Law School in 1955.

He joined the U.S. Army serving in the Adjutant Generals Division and was deployed to Germany for two years. He also served an additional four years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

When his active military service ended, Thomas joined his uncle, F. Joseph Thomas, in law practice in Meadville.

At Tuesday's service, Emil Spadafore, the head of the memorial committee, noted Thomas believed that the practice of law is a profession, not a business.

Spadafore was one of six members of the Crawford County Bar Association appointed by the court to prepare a memorial resolution honoring Thomas. He had practiced law with Thomas for more than 50 years.

"He exemplified what it is to be a lawyer and what a lawyer should be," Spadafore said of Thomas.

Known for his strong ethical standards, Thomas was a challenge for other lawyers who came up against him due to his skill in the courtroom — whether it was a civil case or a criminal case, according to Spadafore.

But, Thomas was more than a brilliant attorney who could skillfully cross-examine witnesses.

"He was a zealous advocate," Spadafore told the crowd of more than 50 people which included more than 20 area lawyers, plus other colleagues, family and friends.

"He could be stubborn, obstinate and difficult to deal with," Spadafore continued. "He'd do anything to protect his client and plead their cause — all within the bounds of honesty and integrity."

Thomas also was a champion of the poor and marginalized.

"He'd get paid by baskets of produce and fruit — and sometimes there'd be chickens in the lobby of the office," Spadafore noted with a chuckle.

A devoted Catholic, the practice of law to R. Charles Thomas was more of a ministry, according to Spadafore.

"His purpose in life was to serve others," he said. "He never thought about the money. He always was teaching through his actions."

Thomas had a long history of legal service to the community.

He served as attorney for Sadsbury Township for 50 years; Sadsbury Township Planning Commission, 50 years; Cambridge Township, 40 years; Cambridge Township Planning Commission, 40 years; Cochranton Borough, 30 years; Vernon Township for decades, as well as Marquette Savings Bank and the former First National Bank of Cochranton; and as a trial attorney for Erie Insurance for more than 50 years.

Among his community activities, Thomas served as chairman of the Meadville Zoning Hearing Board for decades. He also found time to serve on the boards of Associated Charities and the American Red Cross, plus the board of corporators of Meadville Medical Center.

He also held office with the Meadville Jaycees and was the presiding justice of Meadville Elks Lodge 219.

Thomas also received recognition from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for 50 years of dedicated service.

At the dinner for his 50th year of practice, the Crawford County Bar Association honored him and named the R. Charles Thomas Service to the Public Award in his honor.

Keith Gushard can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.