Dale Barton Thoma

Dale Barton Thoma, age 79, passed away peacefully with his wife and son by his side on Friday, February 12, 2021. Born in Pennsylvania to Harold and Jean Thoma, he was raised in Connecticut with his only brother Merle. Dale was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, civic leader, and friend.

Dale attended The College Of William & Mary on a full scholarship for Track and Field, and was a letterman as well as the co-captain of the team. Other accomplishments include winning the 1961 Connecticut AAU Decathlon Championship and the 1963 Pole Vault Titlist for the Eastern Regional NCAA College Division. In addition to his involvement with Track & Field, Dale was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

After graduating with a BA in Economics in 1963, he then attended the University of North Carolina for Graduate School, where he earned his Master’s Of Regional Planning Degree from the Department Of City and Regional Planning.

During his time at William & Mary, Dale earned his military commission through the Army ROTC Program. After graduate school from UNC, Dale served his country proudly and with honor, and achieved the rank of Captain in the United States Army.

During his time in the Army, Dale served as an Administrative Officer, and later, as Chief of Medical Services Division for the 4^th Logistical Command, Ft. Lee, Virginia. He then served as Billeting Officer for LOGEX-67, the Army’s oldest and largest annual logistical exercise. He was later assigned to Kenner Army Hospital as Administrative Officer for the Department of Hospital Clinics.

After his time in the military, Dale became a City Planner for the city of Norfolk, Virginia. He then moved to Montgomery County, Maryland, where he was promoted to Senior City Planner and then Planning Program Coordinator.

In 1980, Dale capitalized on his prior experiences to become the Planning Director, Division Of Planning, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and he held that position for the next 21 years. At his retirement in 2001, Dale stated that, “Of the Division of Planning’s many awards, I am most proud of the 1991 American Institute Of Certified Planners Award, when the Urban Service Area concept was recognized as a national historic planning landmark.” Leading the planning for the development of the City of Lexington was the honor of his life, and he was proud to serve 35 years in his chosen field.

In retirement, he pursued his lifelong passions of tennis, snow skiing, rooting for the UK Wildcats, and his love of fine art. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, and active in the community he loved so much.

Dale was the beloved husband of Nancy Dorton Thoma and honored father of Kurt Thoma. Dale is survived and cherished by his wife and son; his nephew, Harold, and his wife, Jessica, along with their children, David, Jonathan, Samantha, and Jason; his niece, Lucy Tarbell, and her husband, Allyn, along with their children, Mary and Lucas. He will also be greatly missed by his Dorton family who loved him.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Jean, his older brother, Merle, and his sister-in-law, Lorraine.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Milward – Man O’ War, 1509 Trent Blvd. Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 PM at the same location. Burial services will immediately follow at the Lexington Cemetery. The service held at Milward will also be available for viewing online on 2/25/21 at milwardfuneral.com for those unable to attend.

In honor of his legacy, and in lieu of flowers, Dale’s family suggests memorial contributions should be made to: Meals On Wheels at Second Presbyterian Church, 460 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507.