Carl L. Thomas

Thomas, Carl L.
80, passed away March 7, 2013 due to advanced Parkinson's disease. Carl was the only child of Alberta & Carl Thomas born May 28, 1932, in Minneapolis, MN, where he also spent his childhood. Carl is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Eunice Stark, they were married October 19, 1957 in Douglas, AZ. Twin daughters, Susan and Richard Stingley of Irvine, CA and her children Erik Nelson of Spokane, WA, and Elyse Nelson of Phoenix; and Cynthia and David Haag, and their children Brittany and Alex Haag, all of Phoenix; and cousin Janet Manuel of Jekyll Island, GA. Carl was predeceased by youngest daughter Lisa in 2006. Carl was an outstanding athlete in high school and college in basketball, football and baseball. He was a 3-time All-American while at the University of Arizona, went to the CWS 3 times where he held both batting & pitching records, he was voted Outstanding Senior Athlete at UofA and was president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1956, Carl also pitched back-to-back no-hitters against ASU and UCLA. Carl represented the US in the West Coast College All-Stars in Japan for 6 wks. in 1952 and again in the 2nd Pan American Games held in Mexico City in 1955 where he pitched the winning game against Cuba to win a silver medal for the US. After graduating from UofA and completion of his 3rd College World Series, he was signed to the Cleveland Indians by owner Bill Veeck and Hank Greenburg in 1956. Carl played for the Indians organization for the next 6 yrs., retiring from baseball in 1962. He moved from Tucson to Phoenix after being transferred in 1965 where he spent 17 years with Phoenix Cement Corp. and later in industry related businesses. Carl was a member of Arizona Country Club for 43 years. A reception in Carl's honor will be held April 6, 2013, 2 pm, Mt. Claret Retreat Center, 4633 N. 54th St., Phx. Carl will later be laid to rest in the Riggs Family Cemetery, Dos Cabezas, AZ. Memorial contributions may be made in Carl's name to the University of Arizona Wildcat Club, McKale Center #246, P.O. Box 210096, Tucson, AZ 85721. Rest in peace dearest Carl.