Michael Orrin Thomas

God blessed this earthly place with the birth of Mr. Michael Orrin Thomas on August 29, 1959. Mr. Thomas (Michael) passed away suddenly, from a very recent diagnosis of end stage disease in the early morning hours of March 7, 2023 surrounded by loving family. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Michael was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Merlin and Peggy Jackson. Throughout his lifetime, he loved his mom and dad dearly. Michael was born in Baltimore City, Maryland and raised in treelined, beautiful Northwest Baltimore in the Park Heights Community. Michael remained a proud City resident during most of his adult life. He loved our beautiful City and all of its precious nuances. Michael had a great sense of pride and peace while walking the long City blocks and savoring the “old” sense of community when doing so, including spending time at the old Lexington Market.

Michael grew up in a loving musical family. His love of music and gardening was a gift from his beloved “MOM”. As a young person, Michael was known throughout the neighborhood for his ability to sing. He had an amazing tenor and would sing and dance daily along with his siblings in their at home performances. His family concerts were the origin of his well

known love for singing and dancing. Michael sang daily during his recent hospital stay as he was preparing to leave us. Music was one of his many ways of finding serenity. As a young person, Michael was also an outstanding athlete, with talent in baseball, basketball and football. He had many gifts and remained and avid walker until his untimely passing.

Michael attended Northern High School and received an Honorable Discharge as a Private from the Army National Guard in March 1981. Michael had a long-standing career (since the age of 16 ) as a Master Landscaper, Gardener and Grounds Keeper. He is well known for the quality of his work, his attention to detail, his creativity, professionalism, dependability and love of God’s green earth and all things in it. He had a GIFT with nature. Nature brought him Peace. Michael loved to work. Over his career, Michael was employed by some of the largest and most successful landscaping companies in Northwestern Baltimore City and County. He also had numerous longstanding, private landscaping contracts, relationships with small minority owned landscaping contractors and, at one point, owned his own small landscaping business as a Partner with his sister “Tone”. At the time of his passing, Michael was employed full time as a Groundsman at Morgan State University. This was as dream pre-retirement job for him. Another gift from God per Michael. He loved working with the Morgan Team and they loved him. He loved being a part of the State employment system. He loved making the gardens and the school property beautiful and cared deeply about the safety and well-being of the students.

Michael was a very wise, loyal and kind man. He was truly a Man’s Man… proud and independent. He had a way of maintaining humility under the most difficult circumstances and when he loved, he loved very deeply. He was not shy about letting you know that you mattered to him. Michael had a passion for life and Unparalled mental and physical strength. Michael was well known for his love of the LORD, his family, and his numerous friends from all walks of life. He loved to cook. Loved his Cornish Hens and loved a good party. Michael was very versatile. He could mingle easily with anyone at the Beach, a 5 Star Restaurant, Amusement Parks, a Night Club, the Corner Store, Lexington Market, a College Campus, a Golf Course, and a House of Worship. He loved Ravens Football, loved to look polished, dress well and was meticulously neat and organized at all times.

Michael will be deeply missed by many. He is proceeded in death by his loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peggy and Merlin Jackson, and his biological father Mr. Leroy Stokes.

He leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life 4 brothers and sisters and his Best Friends…… Andre, Yvette, Toni and Darnell…….brother in law Gary, his step siblings, his former wife and dear friend Denise, his step children, his beloved grandchildren , Shawntee and Tonio, his Uncle David, his nieces, Elease, Nikeya, and Penny, his nephew Darnell numerous cousins, grand nieces, and nephews , his beloved friend Jerl and a host of special

friends and their families. Michael valued his friendships and frequently spoke of the love and support exchanged with each one of his friends.

Michael would want everyone reading this to remember him with a smile, celebrate life and be happy.

In honor of Michael’s Life and his LOVE of nature; In leu of flowers and donations. Please keep looking for ways to clean up the environment, pick up trash, protect all things green and blooming, plant a small flower (houseplant)in his honor and make someone SMILE today!