Donald J. Thomas Jr.

Donald J. Thomas, 69, of St. Jacob, IL, born Tuesday, March 6, 1956, in Litchfield, IL and passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. Don attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Troy, IL. He was an avid athlete, competing in basketball, baseball, track and football at Mt. Olive high school, and later baseball in college. He then spent 45 years in the IBEW Local 309 as an electrician, while taking time to complete a bachelor's degree in computer science and starting a computer mapping company. He was a loving husband for 48 years and enjoyed traveling, especially in retirement. He was an encouraging and supportive father coaching multiple sports, teaching and guiding his children in hunting and fishing, and latter starting the Trap and Skeet Club at Triad High School, which now has 40+ members. His passions include fishing, hunting, hiking, woodworking, cheering on the Cubs, and spending time with his grandchildren and dog, Bradley. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Donald J. and Betty (nee Wilson) Thomas Sr. Surviving is his wife, Nancy (nee Hall) Thomas; his children, Christopher D. (Megan) Thomas of St. Louis, MO, Steven W. (Stephanie) Thomas of Byrnes Mill, MO and Kirsten (James) Taylor of Oakville, MO; grandchildren, Dean, Jack, Brooklyn and Henry Thomas and Leon Taylor; brother, David Thomas of Mt. Olive, IL; his siters, Cindy Thomas of Hawkins, TX and Jo Marie (David) Yancik of Glen Carbon, IL; and many friends. Memorials may be made to Illinois Kids Hunting Foundation,1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702, ilconservation.org or Triad Trap and Skeet Club, 703 E US Highway 40, Troy, IL 62294. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com Visitation for Don will be 5 to 7 pm on Monday, August 11, at Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, IL and 10 to 11 am on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, August 12 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy, IL with Rev. Albert Colliver officiating.