Attorney with 60 years experience surprised by honor sent from Gov. Mike Pence

State Auditor Suzanne Crouch presents Amos Thomas with the Sagamore of the Wabash certificate from Gov. Mike Pence. 

Frank Phillips photo

In 1956, Amos Thomas had recently passed the bar when he decided to join his brother, John, in practicing law in Brazil. The brothers had been raised in rural Parke County and decided to make Brazil their home. 

Sixty years later, Amos is still practicing law here and has no plans to retire. His brother, John, passed away in 2010. 

Amos was honored this past week with a reception in the Clay County courthouse. He was surprised with a Sagamore of the Wabash from Gov. Mike Pence, delivered by State Auditor Suzanne Crouch, who will become the state’s lieutenant governor in January. 

An early version of the “Thomas & Thomas” sign was displayed at the reception. 

The reception was planned by one of his sons, David. 

“At family reunions, we talked about how long he had been practicing and we found out this was actually his anniversary for 60 years so we decided to do something,” David said. “We approached him and he was a little reluctant at first but we persuaded him. We figured some of his friends and the attorneys would like to come over and say hello to him. I think he’s enjoying it. It’s very unusual for someone to practice law 60 years.” 

While David did most of the planning, his brother, Andy, and sister-in-law, Susan Thomas helped in bringing it together.

The Thomas family is close-knit with six children and various in-laws. 

“I remember my father as putting the family first,” Andy said. “He could have done a lot of things but we had a family of eight and he spent a lot of time with the family; taught us family values, took us to church every Sunday morning, made sure we were on time, took us on family trips all over the United States. We would get in the Suburban with eight people and go out to the east coast and go out to the west coast and it was always for the family. He taught me a lot about practicing law and honesty and how to treat people.” 

Two years ago, Amos’ daughter-in-law, Susan Thomas, was looking for a job. She had studied to become a paralegal. 

One day he called her and asked, “Have you found a job?”

She had not. 

“Well, I have one for you,” he said. 

“I love him dearly and it’s such a pleasure I’m getting the opportunity to work as a paralegal for him in addition to being his daughter-in-law and married to his son, Ben,” Susan said. 

For decades, the Thomas family has attended Brazil’s First United Methodist Church. 

Amos moved to Greencastle after his first wife, Mary passed away in 2006 and later he married his present wife, Betty, but his influence continues to be felt at the Brazil church. 

Amos researched the history of the congregation from its beginnings to the present and he is a certified lay speaker, said the church’s pastor, Rick Koch. 

“In addition to all the other things that he does, he’s able to not only be a good lawyer and speak but he’s also done a great job preaching and teaching,” Koch said. 

Amos has been a member of the Brazil Rotary Club almost as long as he has practiced law. He joined 59 years ago. 

His influence in the community can be seen in many ways. In the past year he was presented with the third Republican Legacy Award at the Lincoln Day Dinner in Center Point.