Robert Thomas

Robert Thomas, 84, of Salmon, died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at home.

Robert LeRoy Thomas was born June 2, 1927, one of three boys born to George and Afton (Laird) Thomas in Dubois, Idaho. He grew up and attended school in Dubois and attended college for a year in Missoula, Mont.

He ventured to Alaska for a short bit and returned home to marry his sweetheart, Reba Jean Edie, on June 17, 1949, in Dubois. Their marriage was sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on May 2, 2000. Their two boys were sealed to them later.

They worked on Reba's father's ranch and were blessed with two boys, Kelly James in 1953 and Kim George in 1955. In 1958, they purchased the ranch from Gib Rucker. When they bought the ranch, they didn't know if they could make the payments, but Bob was a hard worker and took on many jobs to support his family. He milked cows, helped at the sale yard, worked on other ranches and drove the school bus for many years to make ends meet.

In 1969, Bob was awarded the outstanding conservation farmer of Lemhi County and in 1988 was the Chamber of Commerce Rancher of the Year. Bob knew how to ranch and farm. Many of his neighbors came to him for advice. He served on the Soil Conservation Board, Lemhi Irrigation District Lemhi County Planning and Zoning, and was a water master of two ditches for almost 50 years.

Bob was also active in the LDS church and was a high priest. The last calling he had was secretary of the High Priest group.

Bob loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They all loved their grandpa Bob. They loved spending time with him and they all loved those special coins he would pull out of theirs and every other child's ear.

Bob loved his wife, Reba, of 60 years. They worked and played side by side. They went on many fun trips together and they loved to dance.

Bob is survived by his sons, Kelly (Lenice) Thomas of Sawyer, Okla., and Kim (Kathy) Thomas of Salmon; foster son, Mike (Rhonda) Hitesman of Twin Falls, Idaho; two brothers, Bill Thomas and Jim (Donna) Thomas of Dubois; 12 grandchildren, Jay (Angie) Thomas of Sawyer, Okla., Michael Thomas of Cyprus, Texas, Josh Thomas of Athol, Idaho, Hailey Thomas of Pullman, Wash., Chanelle (John) Juntunen of Salmon, Tara (Justin) Jepperson of Kearns, Utah, Brandon Keirnes of Salt Lake City, Rob (Sammie) Keirnes of Chubbuck, Idaho, Mattia Hitesman of Twin Falls, Gretchen Sherman of Salmon, Brady Hitesman of Boise and Katie Hitesman of Twin Falls; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Reba, in 2009; two great-grandchildren, Shantel Juntunen and Skyler Hitesman; sister-in-law, Edna Thomas; and niece, Shawna Schensky.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the LDS Highway 28 Building. Burial will be in Thomas Family Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, April 17, at Jones & Casey Funeral Home and also before services Wednesday in the Relief Society room.