Jack Edward Thomas was born December 26, 1932, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Chester and Ethel Thomas. He was raised in Lincoln, joined the Marines out of high school, and married Corrine Nieting on August 12, 1952. They had a family of one daughter, Tracey, and two sons, Neal and Tom, celebrating 47 years of marriage before her death in 1999.
He had a decorated career with the Marines Corps, including the invasion of Inchon, at the start of the Korean War. Subsequently he became a representative for numerous office furniture and equipment manufacturers in Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska, and had his own successful dealership.
Always very interested in sports, he held many Nebraska state high school records for track and field, and football. For 35 years he volunteered his time as an official for the Drake Relays each April in Des Moines, and high school track meets in Iowa and Nebraska. His personal interests included cooking and gardening. Upon retirement, he traveled extensively throughout the United States, spending much of the time in the Southwest.
Reconnecting with Doris Collins by a chance encounter at a high school reunion in 2002, they were married February 15, 2003. Settling in Green Valley, Arizona, they have enjoyed a wonderful eight years together.
Jack has been a communicant member of Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior since relocating to Green Valley and is survived by his wife Doris, son Neal of Papillion, Nebraska, Alan and daughter Tracey Wilson of Naperville, Illinois and their children, Ryan, Brenton and Hillary, Son Tom and Rita Thomas of Maitland, Florida, and their children, Andrew, Michael and Megan, his brother Chester and Cora Thomas of Rhode Island, as well as Doris’ family, daughter Diane and John Orr with son Andrew, Sugarland, Texas, Brenda Onstead of Sugarland, Texas with sons Robert and Douglas, and Stan and Linda Collins of Lincoln, Nebraska with sons Cory and Clinton.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Wyuka Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Wyuka Cemetery.
Dear brother,
You are now at peace and in good hands.
I’ve been remembering all the good times we had when we were growing up.
My fond memories will continue throughtout the rest of my life.
You will always be in my heart.
Love,
Chet and family.