WHEELING — Longtime physician and benefactor of area youth Dr. Thomas L. Thomas was honored at a ceremony conducted Thursday at the J.B. Chambers Youth Sports Complex.

The J.B. Chambers Memorial Foundation surprised Thomas after his recent retirement from the foundation’s Board of Directors with a brief ceremony. They unveiled a dedication plaque at the sports complex, commonly referred to as the I-470 ball fields, to honor Thomas.

“Dr. Thomas’ dream, vision and guidance as the chairman of the foundation for 40 years enabled this complex to become a reality,” said board member Brann Altmeyer.

Thomas Bechtel, who is the Wheeling recreation director, said the hillside was excavated for the highway and sat dormant for 25 years until Thomas helped bring the complex into fruition.

Board members complimented Thomas on how perfect the choice of location was to build the ball fields and how the retired doctor encouraged its development.

“Dr. Thomas said that we need to show off Wheeling, and what better than it being visible from I-470,” said G. Randolph Worls, director emeritus of the Oglebay Foundation. “You wouldn’t see this anywhere else, other than Wheeling. And, he was right. This has been very positive for Wheeling.”

More than 2,000 games are played at the fields every year, Bechtel said. He also said that 50-60 groups are using the East Wheeling ball fields from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Youth teams use both facilities for free.

James Altmeyer Sr. said that through Thomas’s leadership on the Board, the foundation was able to support the Creative Arts Center at Wheeling Park High School, the Sixteenth Street/Elks Playground renovation, Wheeling Park Ice Rink and educational funding at numerous schools. Brann Altmeyer said during Thomas’ tenure on the foundation, “every prospect had to have his blessing — and it probably was his idea in the first place.”

City Manager Robert Herron agreed.

“Everyone needed Tom’s blessing,” he said.

Thomas accepted his award humbly.

” I thank God for giving me the ability to help and do for other people,” he said.

The J.B. Chambers Memorial Foundation was established in 1924 to support facilities and programs benefiting indigent youth in Ohio County and West Alexander, Pennsylvania. Brann Altmeyer said the foundation gives about $500,000 annually.