Richard D. Thomas
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Richard D. Thomas, 96, of Parkesburg, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at his home with his family.
He was the beloved husband of Alma Wilson Thomas with whom he shared 72 years of marriage.
Born in Parkesburg, he was the son of the late Robert W. and Estelle Diem Thomas.
Dick and Alma were married in 1941. Pearl Harbor occurred on their honeymoon and Dick then served in the US Army in New Guinea for three and a half years of WWII. He came home to live the rest of his life in his hometown of Parkesburg that he loved.
He was employed in the Treasury Department at Lukens Steel Company where he was well-respected, retiring in 1982 with 46 years of service.
He was a faithful member of the Parkesburg United Methodist Church where he served as treasurer for many years. He also served on the Parkesburg Borough Council for 20 years as president and treasurer, the Brandywine Savings and Loan as board member and president, and was treasurer of the Parkesburg Fire Company.
Dick was a person who did everything to the best of his ability. He was a family man, who adored his wife, with love and time for his children and grandchildren. Through the years he enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, and playing cards with good friends. He had a gentle nature and a good sense of humor.
He is survived, in addition to his wife, by their two children; Richard K. Thomas and wife Penny of Pittsburgh and Beth T. Davis and husband Randy Frantz of Parkesburg, five grandchildren; Britton, Bradley and Barrett Thomas, William Davis and Abby Fauth and four great grandchildren; Phoebe and Stella Fauth, Aiden and Lily Thomas.
He was preceded in death by four siblings; Alexia Benton, Louise Martin, William Thomas and Betty Conrad.
Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Sunday, January 26, 2014, with the viewing at 1pm followed by services at 2pm from the Parkesburg United Methodist Church, 411 Main St. Parkesburg, PA 19365. Interment will follow at the Glen Run Cemetery, Atglen, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Parkesburg United Methodist Church.
Arrangements by the Wilde Funeral Home, Parkesburg, PA.
Condolences
Dick Thomas
Ms. Thomas and family,
Please accept my condolences. While I did not know your husband and father very well I frequently heard my parents and Uncle Walter speak of you both with respect and admiration. All of us are particularly grateful for his service to our country during WWII as well.
Norm Pine
Dick Thomas
Dear Alma, Richard, Beth and family:
What a wonderful man! As a neighbor, he was a pleasure to pass bye during the walks about town. He always said hello with a friendly smile.
He was a tremendous help to us at the Parkesburg Fire Company as Treasurer and he kept us informed and even made us feel "comfortable" when we went to your house, to meet with him. As a council person, he served the residents of Parkesburg with dignity and class. Please accept our condolence in this time of remembering and reflecting on a great life.
Sincerely, Jack and Valerie Mariano
Uncle Dick -
Alma, Dick and Beth - so sorry to hear about your husband, dad - What a classy man who will be missed by many - my thoughts and prayers are with all you and your families. Jill
Alma, I'm sending you my love
Alma, I'm sending you my love and prayers.We always enjoyed our times together. Ruth Tait
Dear Beth and Family we are
Dear Beth and Family we are sending our condolences. Your Dad was a Super Guy. I would always see him walking by and doing a Great job by your side. I know you were very close to your Dad and it is hard to have him move on. The thing to remember Is that he is in the Real World and looking down upon all his Family and Friends with no problems. He was a Great Neighbor on second Avenue as also your Mom. It was many years we lived there and moved on to Lancaster. I feel living as long as he did that has a lot to say.
T.C. Prayers Be With You, Tina and Kevin Wilson.
Sadden
Dear Beth and family,
I was sadden to hear of your father's passing. I know how much you admired him and the love you have for your family is evident in how his morals and values were passed down through his children. When Andy was working on their anniversary video, I was able to see how special of a man he truely was to the community and his family. Please know that your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Tammy Hagan, Andy and Daniel
Good Bye Mr. Thomas
Dear Beth, Alma, Dickie, I want to extend my very sincere sympathy to you and your families. I guess you could say I have known your family almost all of my life. I remember him as a very nice and gentle man. I'm sure you will miss him terribly. I know that he is in a glorious place, where there is no sorrow or pain. May God Bless and comfort you all at this sad time. Sincerely, Pam Robinson
My Condolences
Dear Thomas Family:
I am sorry to learn of the loss of Dick. I was unable to attend his service. He was a real gentleman. My fondest memories of him were rabbit and pheasant hunting with him and Bill and Rob out in Steelville when we were kids with beagle dogs - one I recall was named "Old Smoke". There was always a lot of banter amongst us as to who was a better shot.... It always amazed me that he still wore a "smoking jacket" of sorts in the field like a true upland gentlemen.
Dennis B. Young, Esq.
Condolences to the Thomas family.
Dear Beth and your family, I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I would talk to him years back about Meals on Wheels. He was a very kind man and will be missed.
My Sincere sympathies to the family.
Debbie Helms
Condolences
Hard to imagine that no Parkesburg natives mentioned the Thomas's family dog, "Patches." He was a short-haired terrier and was well-known around the western part of Parkesburg in the late 1960s-early 1970s. I would regularly see "Patches" when riding my bicycle in to my Grandmother's home at 520 Second Avenue or to "Dee's" Grocery Store at 210 Chestnut Street. I would stop behind the Thomas home at 2nd Avenue & East Bridge Streets, look in their back yard for him, then call out "Patches!," and within a few seconds he would come bounding over their back fence. He was an INCREDIBLE dog and I hope I never forget him! Also thankful that neither Alma or Dick ever caught me coaxing "Patches" to jump over their back fence!