Thomas Verse

Celebrating The Life of Mr. Thomas Henry Verse

Thomas Henry Verse, 67, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 1, 2024, at his home, with his cherished partner, Linda Gordon, by his side. Born on December 27, 1956, in South Bend, Indiana, Thomas was the beloved firstborn of Louise (Jones) and Rufus Verse, Sr., and the third of his father’s children.

Thomas received his early education at Harrison and Linden Elementary Schools, Central High, and graduated from LaSalle High School in 1975. He furthered his education in welding at IVY Tech, graduating in 1977, and studied Tool & Die design. His career included positions at Air Jamaica, a long tenure as a truck driver for Steel Warehouse, and he was the visionary behind Verse Transport LLC.

Thomas was a member of Apostolic House of God, where he was guided by Pastors Pardeep and Tena Singh. His faith was a cornerstone of his life, and he frequently expressed his salvation and commitment to following Jesus whenever he engaged in prayer or spiritual discussions. Raised in a Christian household, Thomas was deeply influenced by his mother’s faith and uplifted by his father’s support, which helped shape his unwavering devotion.

Thomas’s father, Rufus Verse, Sr., was a vibrant figure in the community, hosting intimate blues and jazz sessions in their living room. These gatherings, which took place on weekends and holidays, extended beyond the family to engage the neighborhood and wider community. It was within this nurturing environment that Thomas and his siblings first encountered the power of music, an influence that would extend to their friends and beyond.

In his youth, Thomas and his brother Zachary were deeply immersed in the world of music, thanks to their father’s dedication to recreating the sounds of legendary bluesmen from the 1950s through the 1970s. This musical legacy was passed down through the generations, touching the lives of Thomas’s children—Demetrius and Ideneicka—and his grandchildren. Thomas himself mastered the bass guitar, but it was the piano that captured his heart most profoundly, alongside his vocal talents. His musical prowess was showcased in performances throughout downtown South Bend and various venues across the Great Lakes region, where he shared the stage with some of the finest musicians of his time.

A people person at heart, Thomas had an innate ability to connect with others. He was known for his warm nature, genuine interest in people's lives, and his desire to make everyone feel like family. Thomas loved hard and, in his attempt to love, “he did not take any wooden nickels.” Despite struggling with COPD and CHF, which limited his ability to visit friends, Thomas continued to reach out to those he cared about, offering heartfelt farewells.

Thomas is survived by his five children: Demetrius Verse and Ideneicka Verse of South Bend, IN; Tamara Pfeifer of Indianapolis, IN; Marquise (Ruth) Teague of the U.S. Army in Fort Johnson, LA; and Shantel Neily of Eloy, AZ. He is also survived by three sisters: Lorraine (Murray) Collins and Mary Ann (Booker) Jacobs Sr. of South Bend, and Nicola Valerie (Darrin) Chandler of Phoenix, AZ; three brothers: Willie (Evelyn) Davis and Zachary Verse Sr. (Annie Strickland) of South Bend, and Rufus (Tonya) Verse Jr. of Phoenix, AZ; a special cousin, Jimmy (Denise) Boyd Jr.; a special friend, Linda Gordon; lifelong friend Bonnie Mae Henderson of South Bend; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Louise Verse Sr.; a sister, Brenda (Jimmy) Jones; a brother, Achery Verse; a daughter, Alouvise "Weezie" Harris; a son, Calvin "Boonkie" Harden; and his grandparents, Anderson Verse II and Louise Dowd-Verse.

Thomas leaves behind a legacy of love and family, including seven children, 18 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 1:00 PM, with a viewing one hour prior at 12:00 PM, at New Horizon Outreach Ministries, 56165 Mayflower Rd., South Bend, IN 46619. Arrangements are entrusted to Boyd and Son Funeral Home, where condolences may be shared online at www.boydandsonfuneralhome.com.

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