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Arthur "Art" Thomas

1927 - 2007

BORN

1927

DIED

2007

Arthur Thomas Obituary

Arthur "Art" Thomas, 80, of Vale, Ore., passed away Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, after a long illness.

Art was born in Oxnard on Aug. 1, 1927, to O. Arthur Thomas and Anna Marie Hengehold Thomas. He attended the Santa Clara grammar school and high school. He served in the United States Army Air Force as a sergeant and radar specialist during War World II. He married Sue Carroll on Dec. 27, 1955, in Montecito. The couple resided in Oxnard until 1987, when they moved to Vale, Ore., where they farmed. He was a member of the Improved Order of Redmen St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and the Ventura County Rancho Adolfo. He enjoyed packing in the Sierras with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue Thomas, at home; daughter, Judy (husband Larry) Lewis of Nampa, Idaho; sons, Frank Thomas of Vale, Ore., Jim (wife Jamie) Thomas of Vale, Ore., John Thomas of Vale, Ore., Jed (wife Heidi) Thomas of Kuna, Idaho, Paul Thomas of Oxnard, and David (wife Julie) Thomas of Camarillo; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Jim Thomas of Somis; sisters, Betty (husband Joe) McAllister of Ojai, Margaret (husband Jose) Enriquez of Monterey, Calif., Mari Thomas of New Mexico, Ruth Thomas of Paramount, Calif., Claire (husband Walt) Macklin of Paso Robles, Calif.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association in care of the Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel, 2543 SW 4th Ave., Ontario, OR 97914.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at the Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel in Ontario, Ore. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Vale, with interment to follow at the Valley View Cemetery in Vale.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ventura County Star from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Thomas

12 Entries

John Borchard

August 23, 2007

Dear Sue,
I can't stop looking at Art's picture in the STAR. That big, caring, friendly, muscular teddy bear. I expect him to be holding a sledge hammer the size of Barry Bond's baseball bat. Thank you for sharing it with all of us "back here."
I hope the last days were not too trying for you and the family. We're seeing too many dear ones pass on these days. Just yesterday Nancy and I attended the funeral and reception for Gayle Burdullis Truxler. Several said, "If it weren't for the decorum out of respect for the family, we have the makings here of a terrific party!" I'm sure the gathering for Art and for you brought out the same endearing but mixed feelings.
We cherish our kids and eleven grandchildren -- spend more time with them than with anyone else. It's super. I'm sure you enjoy these things equally.
Please know that many, many of us from way back harbor fond memories of you and Art which no one can ever take away. Life has been good to us. And after this we'll all be reunited with God and that party will indeed be terrific.

Colleen Garmon-Campbell

August 21, 2007

Art was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed but fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are sent to his family at this diffucult time.
The Garmon Family

joe henschel

August 20, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

John and Betty Donlon

August 20, 2007

Dear Sue and Family,

Our condolences to you and your family.

Nancy Munday

August 20, 2007

Dear Sue and Family,
So sorry to hear about Art's passing - our deepest sympathy to all of you........hope to hear from you soon.
Love, Nancy and Gordon (Bud) Munday
Fairfield

Sandy Hayes- Weltz

August 19, 2007

As a child, I can remember the Thomas Bar-B-Qs, a time when all the Thomas family gathered with laughter and fun in their hearts. The Thomas family was later to join with my family through his wife, Sue Carrol, and Art got the title of Uncle. Uncle Art & Sue would join my family for good times in Oxnard and then in good Old Cuyama.
The memories of those times will go on through the family tree.
May warm memories fill your void at this time.

Donna Sill

August 19, 2007

My Dear Sue and Family,
Carol McClure just sent me an e-mail about Art's death. I was so sorry to learn he has been in poor health in his retirement. Thank goodness you have a large family to see you through your time of loss.
I missed you at our last reunion and didn't have your e-mail address or I would have contacted you. I have been widowed for eight years so have been through this sadness. My children and 14 grandchildren have been wonderful and keep me very busy. Please contact me and my deepest sympathy to you and yours. Fondly, Donna

Diane Hayes

August 19, 2007

Dear Sue and Family and the Thomas Family, Jim, Betty, Margaret, Mari, Ruth and Claire,

As a member of the original Deodar Street gang of Hayes, Reardon, King, Maulhardt et.al I share many wonderful memories of Art and the Thomas family growing up and later as a relative I shared in Art's fantastic sense of humor and family. Though distance in our lives over the last several years have seperated us as family members I value my memories of Kid Ory in San Francisco, Corsicana street, and the lunch breaks for "As the World Turns", the adventures of the Thomas children, farm stories, directing my brother John and Dee Dee # one. Thanks for the Laughs Art.

Cindy & Larry Dew

August 18, 2007

My dearest and long time friend Judy, I am so sorry to hear about your father. Now he and my mother can talk tall tales in Heaven about Oxnard. You and I both know they are both better off now, and no longer suffering. I noticed from another entry above your family was on Corsicana Dr.....Judy as much as we talked about the old times, I don't recall you mentioning this. My father, Tex Carrigan lived on Corsicana too in a duplex. Dad is still in Cave Junction, Oregon I will send a copy of the obituary by mail to him. He just turned 89 in July. Judy, our hearts go out to you for your loss and what you are facing in the days ahead. A loss so close is difficult to bear. Just watching our parents go through these awful illnesses is so painful. If there is anything we can do for you and Larry or your mom, or you just want to talk, you know where we are. Forgot to mention that mom's obituary is in here too (Verna Yeaw) with your Dad's from June 28 indefinitely. Love to you and your family.

John & Carolyn Menne

August 18, 2007

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Molly Krebs

August 18, 2007

Dear Sue and Family, Also:
Betty,Margaret,Jim,Mari,Ruth and Claire,

May you find strength in the love of family and friends. With prayers and deepest sympathy,

Maria Gray

August 18, 2007

Dearest Sue and family. We were so sad to hear about Art. Infact we were talking about him yesterday only to see his obituary in the paper this morning. Art was a wonderful person. As you know he would do anything for anyone. We will always remember him and the Thomas family on Corsicana Dr. in Oxnard. Thanks for the memories and we are extremly sorry of your loss. Our prayers are with you and the family today and always. We miss you all. God has a new angel by his side. May God Bless and may he rest in peace.
Our Love to all of you.
The Grays, Bruce,Maria and George.

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