First hospitalized on Dec. 30, 2011, for an acute liver attack, Dow Thomas was released New Year's Eve and still managed to perform two shows at Wiley's Comedy Niteclub - his favorite place to perform, Kay Thomas said.
"I loved his outlook on life and his take on comedy," she said. "His sarcastic look at everything the world had to offer - how corky and strange it was.
"He was a very kind man."
Dow Thomas performed again the following weekend at Wiley's before being hospitalized again at Akron General Hospital before his death, according to Kay Thomas.
Dazzling audiences since 1972, Thomas was a multitalented comedian, musician and actor, who traveled the world performing. Regularly scene with a top hat on stage, Thomas pushed the limits of comedy with this costumes and masks. Thomas attended Wright State University and studied theater for a little more than a year, according to Kay Thomas. He abandoned the pursuit for a formal degree and began performing.
Kay Thomas, who grew up in Dayton and whose family operates the Kramer's Party Supply store on Irving Avenue, first saw Dow Thomas in 1977 at one of his shows and they were together since 1994. They later married in 2002.