Obituary of Thomas Anthony Revels

Thomas A. Revels, 73, of Frankfort, NY, departed this life Friday, October 3, 2014, with his loved ones by his side. Born in Thorpe, West Virginia to the late Brewster and Lois (Holiday) Revels. He was educated in Thorpe, West Virginia and an alumni of Gary High School. Thomas enlisted in the United States Army, where he received training as an air traffic controller. In 1963, he married the former Synita Brooks, and they recently celebrated 50 years together. Thomas received his Bachelors degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, while working for the New York City Fire Department for fourteen years. He left his career as a fire fighter and became a NYC Fire Marshall in the Arson Investigation Unit for seven years. During that time, he attended McAllister School of Mortuary Science, where he received his Funeral Director's license. In 1992, Thomas moved to the Utica area and acquired the Gibson Funeral Service, Inc. He then established the T. Revels-Gibson Funeral Service, Inc., where, for the past 20 years, he has served the community with great care and compassion. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, he will be sadly missed by his loving family, friends and the families he had served. Thomas is survived by his beloved wife, Synita; his son, Terrence Revels and partner, Joanne; and his daughter, Monica Revels and partner, Jeffrey Yeomans and was predeceased by his son, Timothy Lee Revels, on September 20, 1990. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Amber, Alicia and Thomas Revels, and his great-granddaughters, Mackenzie and Autumn Sult. Thomas also leaves his stepmother, Doris Revels; brother, David Revels and wife, Joanne, of Georgia; two sisters, Evangela Grier, of Ohio, and Dorothy Revels, of West Virginia; special nephews, Anthony and Donald Revels; and a niece, Kim Revels. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Faxton-St. Lukes Oncology Unit; and also to John L. Matt for his continued support. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes on Friday, October 10, 2014, at 10 a.m., where military honors will confer. Calling hours will be at the church on Thursday (today), October 9, 2014; from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family.