Sgt. Christopher S. Thomas

Sgt. Christopher S. Thomas, 22, of Coopersburg, died December 15, 2008. Born in Sellersville on August 12, 1986 he was the son of Lynda (Wolfe) Gehris of Coopersburg and Scott Thomas of Nokomis, Florida. He was also the step-son of William Gehris. Chris was a 2004 graduate of Palisades High School, but received most of his education at the Quakertown Community School District. Chris joined the Marines immediately after graduating and celebrated his 18th birthday going through boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of Iraqi Operation Freedom serving three tours of duty in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While in Iraq he studied the local language and was the subject of an article written in the Stars and Stripes Newspaper for doing so. He became so fluent in the language that during his subsequent deployments his unit operated without an interpreter. He attended Calvary Bible Fellowship Church in Coopersburg. In addition to his parents and step-father he is survived by two sisters Jennifer Thomas of Winter Haven. Florida, and Shannon Greenawalt (Michael) of Hellertown. A brother Geoffrey Gehris ( Natalie Pinkerton) of Steinsburg. Maternal grandparents Lew and Marie Wolfe of West Conshohocken and paternal grandparents Jack and Leslie Thomas of Nokomis, Florida. Three Aunts, Cindy Fogarty (Jay) of Schwenksville, Colleen Wolfe of Allentown, and Jody Ferrier (Dave) of Souderton. An Uncle, Jeff Thomas (Candice Sullivan) of Tampa, Florida. A niece, Jordan and nephew, Tyler. Cousins, Tommy, Leigh, Niki, Shelby, Ryan, and Maddie. He was also survived by his estranged wife Ashley (Reboratti) Thomas and step-son Kristoffer both of Spinnerstown. Funeral services with full Military Honors will be held on Monday, December 22 at 11:00 A.M. in Calvary Bible Fellowship Church 6782 N. Main St. Coopersburg, PA 18036. Calling hours will be held Monday from 9:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. at the church. Arrangements in the care of C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Toys for Tots, 1400 Postal Road Allentown, PA 18109 or to the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment 3025 John Quick Rd. Quantico, Virginia 22134. Service Information Funeral Service