BEAVERTOWN — Not only was former state Rep. Reno H. Thomas a good politician, but he was an all-around good man, say local Republican supporters and friends.
Thomas, of Beavertown, a Republican who represented Snyder and Union counties in the state House from 1968 to 1980, died early Monday morning. He was 87.
“He was a good man,” said Stanley Saylor, of Beaver Springs. “He did a good job in Harrisburg.”
Saylor served as the Snyder County Republican chairman during Thomas’ terms.
“He was a nice fellow to know,” echoed Robert Donehower, of Lewisburg, “he really was.”
Donehower, a former Union County commissioner and county GOP chairman, said he became a representative for Thomas’ candidacy right after Thomas came to his house to introduce himself as part of his campaign.
“We would go to his home and wait for the results to come in in the late evening,” Donehower said, referring to election nights. “It was a privilege and really an honor to help him get into office and represent him and his campaign.”
Thomas also introduced Donehower to many members of the state House.
“He did get a lot of things accomplished,” Donehower added. “I think he represented his district very well.”
He particularly represented agriculture well, he added.
“He was very dedicated and worked very, very hard as a state legislator,” added Lee Knepp, Snyder County’s chief clerk. “He took great pride in serving the people in the two counties.”
Donald Ely, of Sunbury, a Republican state committeeman for Northumberland County, lived for nine years in Snyder County, much of that during Thomas’ last few years as a lawmaker.
“He was an upstanding Republican,” Ely said. “I think he represented Snyder and Union counties really well for a number of years. I was sorry he lost in 1980.”
Thomas beat Harvey Murray Jr. in the Republican primary in 1968. In 1978, Thomas nearly lost to Democrat John Showers. And in 1980, he did. Showers was a Union County commissioner before he was elected to the House. He is serving again as a county commissioner today.
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