Dorothy "Jo" Thomas

1926 - 2018

Dorothy "Jo" Stanford Thomas, 92, of Ammon, left us on May 11, 2018, so she could be with our Dad. She was at home with loving family at her side. We are filled with joy and peace for her successful "graduation," but will miss her quick wit and fierce devotion to those she loves. She was under the care of Aspen Home Health & Hospice.

Jo was born January 9, 1926, in St. Anthony, Idaho, to Leland William Stanford and Mary Miller Stanford. As the youngest of nine siblings, she especially adored her big brothers and became known for how much she helped them with their chores. They nicknamed her "Jo" after a popular song of the day, "Little Joe the Wrangler." She kept this nickname the rest of her life. She grew up and attended school in St. Anthony, graduating from St. Anthony High School. Jo was an expert swimmer and ice skater, having learned these skills in her youth.

While in high school, she met the love of her life, Robert C. "Bob" Thomas at a dance in Sugar City, Idaho. On April 13, 1943, they were married in Idaho Falls, Idaho. While Bob left to serve in the Army Air Corps, Jo stayed home to complete her senior year. Once she had graduated, she joined him at Warner-Robbins Air Base in Georgia. They later moved to Logan, Utah, so Bob could attend Utah State University. After he graduated with degrees in Accounting and Business Law, they moved to Idaho Falls for a job opportunity. That job progressed with promotions in the Idaho First National Bank to Shelley, and then to Blackfoot, where they remained for many years. Bob and Jo and their young daughter, Patrice, built their family cabin in Island Park. The family enjoyed many reunions and get-togethers there over the years.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a descendant of many early pioneers in the Parker and St. Anthony area. Jo served in many positions in the church throughout her life, but her favorite was when she was working with the youth, either in Primary, scouting, or Young Women. She was also a devoted Visiting Teacher for many years. She served for many years as a "Pink Lady" at Bingham Memorial Hospital.

Mom was known for always being busy with multiple projects, and never hesitated to tackle something that might be difficult to do. It was not unusual to stop by when she had a quilt on in the living room, fruit or vegetables needing to be canned in the kitchen, laundry on the line, a half-read book on the end table, and one of Dad's wood projects on the snack bar in the middle of the varnishing process. One quilt she made had 1,524 pieces. Some of her other interests included oil painting, ceramics, rock-hounding, reading, picking huckleberries, and rafting on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Jo is survived by her daughter, Lynet (Reuel) Smith of Ammon, ID; son, Rex (Colleen) Thomas of Morgan, UT; daughter, Shauna (Benny) Smith of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Patrice Thomas of Ammon, ID; 18 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leland and Mary Miller; husband, Bob Thomas; four brothers and four sisters; and great-grandson, Jaxon Ryan Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, with Reuel Smith officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Parker Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.