John D. "J.T." Thomas

John Thomas Obituary

RAPID CITY - John was born April 2, 1963, to Dick and Jean Thomas. John was born and raised in Rapid City. He graduated from Rapid City Central High School in 1981. He married Janet Herber on May 21, 1998. They were blessed with two children, Amber and Weston. John was a shining example of a true friend. It didn't matter if you wore a suit and tie, T-shirt and jeans, or a little league uniform, John offered friendship to everyone. He enjoyed life to the fullest by spending time outdoors hiking, biking, camping, boating, water skiing, snow skiing, hunting, playing softball, and coaching Weston's little league baseball team. John's main focus was in building and sharing relationships with others. John took pride in his work by creating his own masterpieces with his hands through carpentry and landscaping. John celebrated life to its fullest. His greatest joy was his kids. He viewed his greatest accomplishment in life as being a good dad. His greatest gift to his family and friends was that he was an awesome father, son, brother and friend. His philosophy was: "There's always time to make a new friend or to help someone." John trusted God's plan and would start with a smile and end with, "It's gonna all work out." John was a gift to his family and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. John passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer. Blessed and grateful to have shared his life are his children, Amber and Weston, and their mother, Janet, all of Rapid City; his parents, Dick and Jean Thomas, Rapid City; three sisters and families, Carol and John, Katelyn and Jacob Hansen, Aurora, Colo., Michele and Kevin, Courtney and Ryan Anderson, Scranton, N.D., and Laura and Mike Caleb, Reilly and Emma Benson, Summerset; and Lily, his family's black lab. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, with a 7 p.m. Christian Wake service, at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 17, at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City, with the Rev. David Matzko, S.J., and Msgr. William O'Connell officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for his children's education (The Amber & Weston Thomas Fund) and may be sent to Black Hills Federal Credit Union. The family is asking anyone wishing to share a special memory of John to bring it for the memory basket, mail to Dick and Jean Thomas, 1115 Milwaukee St., Rapid City, SD 57701, or e-mail to [email protected] His online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.

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Published by Rapid City Journal on Jul. 15, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for John Thomas

13 Entries

Gene Grosz

August 14, 2009

I spent a lot of time with J.T. back in Rapid City... we worked together, had many great adventures away from work, and also lived together as roommates. I was very sad to hear the news of his passing. He was a great guy, and I think of him often. He would do anything for you... and he did many favors for me.

It had been a long time since I had seen or spoken to him... but, I always assumed I would just run into him sometime on one of our short trips back to Rapid to visit family. I feel like I really missed out. I hear in my head one of John's lines he would use when he would be waiting for me to do something..."are you packin' a lunch or takin' the bus".

We'll all miss you J.T.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Mike Roerick

July 24, 2009

My thoughts and prayers go out to John’s family.

JT and I were roommates back in 1985. We rented a house with two others out near Johnson Siding. We all had pickups (JT called his the Rambo Rig) and we constantly bragged about who had the better truck. One night JT was showing off on the way home and slid off the road and hit a pole. The next morning JT and I went out to look at the damage. I stood their feeling sorry for him and he turned to me, smiled and said “That’s what the Rambo Rig was made for”. He laughed, jumped in and drove off. That is the John Thomas I knew and will never forget. The eternal optimist that could take any situation and turn it into a positive. I wish the world had a million John Thomas’s, but we only had the one and we all are better off for it.

Brent Reeh

July 23, 2009

I am very sad to hear about J.T.. He introduced me to my wife 25 years ago and for that I will always be in his debt. You will be missed J.T.!

Myron & Connie Nelson

July 20, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Toni Heiser

July 17, 2009

July 17,2009

To John's Family, May you feel the presence of our Lord and Savior, the great Comforter, at this difficult time in your lives. John will be deeply missed. He was a great friend.

Gail True

July 17, 2009

To John's Family and Friends, My heart goes out to you . I am so sorry for your loss.
John had a "Heart of Gold" he would do anything for anyone. He always knew how to make people laugh. He could turn a frown upside down whether it be his kids, family or friends. John you will be dearly missed.

Karen & John Cooper

July 17, 2009

While we did not have the privilege to
know John, we have been very blessed in
getting to know Weston and Amber. They are kind, polite, funny and witty.
They prayed for their father many times and spoke lovingly of him.
Our sympathy, prayers and love go out
to Weston and Amber.

July 16, 2009

To John's family and friends.I am very sorry for your {our] loss.

We went to school together, but we didn't hang out or anything like that but, I did run into him a couple of times a year and every time we met he treated me like we were close personal friends.[to me that is one of the special things I will remember about John]He was a very special person and will be missed by all.

Craig Heidinger

Monty Zantow

July 16, 2009

My prayers are with your family in the loss of John, a friend of mine. I am reminded of times working with John and pray for God's comfort as you grive.

Wayne Wagner

July 15, 2009

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Tommi Saenz-Craddock

July 15, 2009

To John's family, I give you my deepest and sincerest sympathy. So sorry for your loss.

I remember John always walking down the hallways in high school with that big smile. And when I worked with him at Manor House after high school, he still had that same big smile....everyday! It was something to always depend on. And for the next twenty or more years that I bumped into John, unbelievably, there was that same enormous sweet smile. That smile never dulled or wavered and remained still so full of light and kindness. And if I may say, since high school, John had no clue as to how good looking he was; so full of humility. He always had time to stop and ask, "how you are doing?", and always waited for the answer. What a one of a kind. He was an inspiration to loving life every day.
God Bless,
Tommi Saenz-Craddock

Peggy Bergman

July 15, 2009

"JT" is a person you just cannot help but like! I met John thru Craig Steinley, and found him a warm, caring and very handy person-He helped me move into my house in Rapid City...knowing him was a bright spot in my life. It did not take long to see he loves his children very much and did everything he could for them.
My prayers and blessings go to his family and thanks to the Lord who send him to spend time here with us.

Randy & Heidi LaRoche

July 15, 2009

To Janet, family and friends of John. Heidi and I wish to express our deepest sympathies at your loss. Your loss is our loss as well.
Though not part of John's inner circle of friends, I can say that he was always pleasant to see and talk to. He would always ask how I was doing and end with "it's good to see you". John did not seem to know any boundaries when it came to society or presumed status. He always had a smile and I enjoyed talking with him. My impression was that he had a big heart to go along with that smile. We have lost so many from our class of 1981, and for now I keep thinking, why John. If the world had more like him, it would be a much better place. I wish I could be there to say goodbye to John, but I will keep John, Janet and the kids in my prayers.

Respectfully,

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