Guy Thomas (1958-2025)
Convention organizer Guy Thomas, 67, died March 13, 2025.
Guy Wayne Thomas, born February 21, 1958, discovered science fiction fandom in college, in Carbondale IL. His first science fiction convention was the 1979 NaSFiC in Louisville KY. When he moved to the Bay Area, he built new connections with the northern California science fiction community, where he was especially known for his copious knowledge of and deep appreciation for his favorite author, Robert A. Heinlein.
Guy chaired Potlatch 7 in Oakland in 1998, and cochaired Potlatch 10 with Janet Lafler in San Francisco in 2001. He worked on FOGcon (Friends of Genre convention) from its beginning in 2011 in Walnut Creek CA. In 2013, he was vice-chair of FOGcon 3, and he chaired FOGcons 4 and 5 in 2014 and 2015.
A lifetime wheelchair user and disability activist, Guy brought awareness of accessibility and accommodations to the Bay Area science fiction and convention-running communities, as well as to the greater Bay Area community. A self-proclaimed theater geek, he got his degree in theater, and his most joyful artistic moments were when he was directing plays.
He is survived by his partners, Carol Squires and Serene Vannoy, and his siblings, Richard Thomas and Cheryl Allen.
–Debbie Notkin
