Daniel E. Thomas

RONAN — Daniel E. Thomas, 87, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, in Ronan.

Daniel was born April 21, 1918, at home, a ranch on Medicine Lodge Creek in Small, Idaho. His early schooling was at Medicine Lodge and he graduated from high school at John Muir Tech. in Pasadena, Calif. He went on to attend Pasadena Junior College where he majored in geology and was enrolled in ROTC.

While attending the University of Idaho, he married his beautiful loving wife Betty Andrea Rider on July 23, 1937. They settled in Salmon Prairie, for a short time and then moved to Seward, Alaska, in 1940. Daniel was then employed by the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II.

He enjoyed the challenges of his varied pursuits: ranching, motel management and uranium mining. Eventually, he found his true calling as a commercial fisherman both in Seward and Cordova, Alaska. This calling offered a lifestyle for his family which created wonderful endless memories. He retired from fishing after 32 years and settled in Ronan.

He was dearly loved by all who knew him. So many were blessed by his joyous entertainment he offered on the accordion and piano.

He had great respect for the beauty of this world, enjoyed in his many travels.

All could say, he is remembered by his stories of the past, his positive attitude in difficult situations, and certainly his smile, which could light up a room.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty A. Rider Thomas; daughter Andrea Marcia; granddaughter Heidi Barnes Martinez; parents Daniel W. and Mary E. Thomas; and brother Byron K. Thomas.

Survivors include his children, Cinda Barnes, Sharon Barnes, Coral Lockwood (David) and Rex Thomas, all of Ronan; brothers Gerald W. Thomas (Jean) of Las Cruces, N.M., Walter J. Thomas (Betsy) of West Jordan, Utah, William H. Thomas (Eunice) of Alameda, Calif., and John F. Thomas (Joann) of Cordova, Alaska; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held July 30 at the Lockwood residence on Terrace Lake Road in Ronan.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.