Edmund Walter Thomas Jr.

Edmund "Ed" Thomas, Jr.

In loving memory of our father, Edmund Walter Thomas Jr. (AKA "Big Ed"), who passed away on August 28, 2025. He was born January 28, 1940, to his mother Gertrude Dillon (Fregin) and Father Edmund Thomas. He was a deeply devoted husband to the love of his life Nancy and a loving father to Tracy (Jim) Honeck and Beth (Dan) Peters. A proud grandfather to Noel (Dan) Harmeyer, Ben (Kaitlyn) Honeck and Madeline (Quinten) Peters and a great grandfather to Stacke and Garrett. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Dad grew up predominantly in Milwaukee with his mom Trudy. He was an only child and had a very close relationship with his mom and her family. He spoke highly of his time with the Boy Scouts where he made lifelong friends and his troop leader was a great role model and father figure who kept him on the straight and narrow. He attended Bay View High school where he met Nancy at the age of 15. His love for History and Politics started in High School and remained with him throughout his lifetime. He graduated in 1957 and went straight into the Air Force.

Dad did his basic training at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio TX in 1957 and was permanently stationed at the 663rd AC&W Squadron in Lake City, TN until his Honorable discharge in 1960. His rank was Airman Second Class where he worked with radar and air traffic control. He was also on the Air Force baseball team and would travel to other bases to play. He remained on reserve until 1963 and was very patriotic throughout his life.

When dad returned to Milwaukee, he joined the Milwaukee Police Department and asked Nancy to marry him.

Our parents were married November 18, 1961, and had a beautiful life together for almost 64 years. Theirs was a true love story and set an example for us on how to build a lifetime with the one you love.

Dad left the Police Department around 1963 and shortly after, Tracy was born in 1964 and 5 years later, Beth was born in 1969.

Dad worked in dispatch for Barry trucking and Strickland trucking until mom and dad started an Orval Kent Franchise in the 70's.

Dad's last job before retirement was a driver for Quest Diagnostics which he loved. He always enjoyed meeting and talking with people and was never one to sit behind a desk.

Dad retired to take care of mom. She was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia, and he took on the role as primary caregiver without hesitation. He was fiercely protective of mom and was determined to give her all the love and care he could. He said he took his marriage vows seriously and he intended to honor them no matter what.

Dad did honor those vows for over a decade. Right up until the end.

And now it is our turn to honor his strength, humor, wisdom and unconditional love he gave to everyone who came into his life. Please join us for his Celebration of Life on Friday October 10, 2025. Memorial Visitation is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Memorial Service to follow at 6:00 PM at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, New Berlin, WI.

Dad was known to have a drink in his hand, a cigar in his mouth and a full bellied laugh. He was an avid lover of sports and was a diehard Brewers fan. So, to honor his warm personality and laid-back style, we are asking attendees to come in Brewers attire (or Packers, or Admirals).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association in Ed's memory.