Gerard Postles Thomas ’51

Gerry was born Jan. 1, 1930, to William R. and Virginia Postles Thomas in Washington, D.C.

A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, at Princeton he was an economics major and belonged to Campus Club. He captained the undefeated tennis team in 1951 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Gerry roomed with Hugh Ghormley, Bill Thomas, and Bill Webb.

He played competitive tennis for most of his life. He and Janet Heaton were married in 1953; he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School the following year.

Initially he worked for General Electric, Owens-Corning Fiberglass, and the Lusk Corp. His business career culminated in 25 years with Early California Industries in Los Angeles, where as vice president and chief financial officer he participated in the firm’s evolution from an olive-oil company to a leader in rice and general food processing, retiring in 1996.

When Janet died in 2004, they had been married for 50 years. Gerry died April 5, 2017, and is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Taylor Thomas; his children Allison ’78 and Gerard Jr. (Chip); grandchildren Claudia, Jack, Curtis, and Carla; and his brothers William Jr. ’51 and James.