RICHARD OWEN THOMAS
Richard Owen Thomas, of Colfax, passed away peacefully at his home on January 4, 2016 with his family by his side.
Richard (Dick) was born to Owen and Leatta Thomas on September 22, 1941 in Stillwater, MN. He was an older brother to his sister Kay. He attended St. Michaels Catholic School from first through eighth grade and then went on to Stillwater Junior and Senior High until graduation. Dick and his family enjoyed many outings during the summertime to his godmother Helen’s in Ironton, MN. Summers also found Owen, Dick and his young friends having wonderful adventures on the St. Croix River. Dick would tell how sometimes his dad would just drop the boys off for an overnight stay on one of the islands on the river! At an early age Dick found himself working for a close neighbor doing jobs at his scrap yard, a memory that he was very fond of.
After high school he enlisted in the Air Force and after completing basic training was stationed in Duluth, MN for four years. After his discharge he went to school in Staples to be a heavy equipment operator. He worked very successfully doing this with a large construction company throughout the Twin Cities for many years.
In 1969 Dick met someone who would become, as he would tell people, the love of his life. He moved to Colfax, Wisconsin and married Sylvia (Peterson) on November 11, 1972. Together they had a wonderful life.
Dick’s love for family, friends, racing and his very generous spirit was well known to everyone. He always said he had a great life with no regrets!
Dick is survived by his children Jim Burns and Ellen (Ron) Hurd: Sister Kay (Willie) Moore: Grandchildren Deanna Hurd, Jennifer (Josh) Bauer, Taylor and Bryan Hurd: Jessica(Sam)Smelter, Jordan Burns and Adrienne Manydeeds. Great-grandchildren Marisa, Emma and Max Bauer. He was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia and parents Owen and Leatta Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of your choice.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elk Mound. Visitation was from 3 to 6 p.m., with a prayer vigil beginning at 6 p.m., on Monday, January 11, 2016, at Sampson Funeral Home in Colfax, and again one hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday at the church. Burial with military honors was at Holden Cemetery, north of Colfax.
Life is only a dream: soon we shall awaken. And what joy! The greater our sufferings, the more limitless our glory. Oh! Do not let us waste the trial Jesus sends. -St. Thérése of Lisieux
What Cancer Can Not Do
Cancer is so limited………..
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot destroy Confidence
It cannot kill Friendships
It cannot shut out Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot reduce Eternal Life
It cannot quench the Spirit
It cannot lessen the power of the Resurrection.