Shell Joseph Thomas

Shell Joseph Thomas
January 6, 1963 – June 21, 2014

Shell Joseph Thomas, 51, of San Francisco, California, died peacefully in his home of a sudden heart attack on June 21, 2014. A memorial service for family and friends celebrating his life was held at Glide Memorial Church on July 6, 2014. As per his wishes, Shell's ashes were scattered off San Francisco's China Beach Bay.
Shell was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 6, 1963, and then moved to Park City, Utah, where he enjoyed skiing, tennis and resort life. He graduated from Judge Memorial High School and attended the University of Utah, receiving a B.A. in International Relations followed by a double masters in International Business Affairs & International Business from American University in Washington, D.C. Shell moved to France and immersed himself in the culture of Nice then Courchevel, located in the French Alps, for several years where he worked for Air France, becoming fluent in French. Returning to the States, he continued to use his business skills and passion for people, projects and improvements in many different enterprises, the most recent of which was the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Economic & Workforce Development and Small Business Development Center, specifically the Lower Polk / Upper Tenderloin District. Here he oversaw extensive community improvement projects and helped bring culture and beauty to lower socio-economic neighborhoods
Shell viewed life with enthusiasm, grace and beauty. He was a gentle spirit who believed in making a difference and who genuinely and whole-heartedly loved his fellow man. A colleague noted he was "a man of dignity and integrity, with a great heart and a wonderful sense of humor."
Shell is survived by his parents, Curt and Ann Thomas, sister Kerrie Cordero and brothers Bart and Grant Thomas.
The family requests, for those who desire, donations in Shell's memory be sent to Glide Memorial Church, 330 Ellis St., San Francisco, CA 94102.