Dale L. “Papa” Thomas, 73, of Raymondville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Ky.
Dale was born Aug. 16, 1941, in Brown County near Mount Sterling, Ill., son of Frank and Nellie Nevins Thomas. He and Beth Anthony in Grinnell were married Nov. 11, 1962.
He was raised in Brown County and graduated from Brown County High School. He served from 1961-’64 in the Army and was stationed in Korea.
He worked as a contract supervisor from 1968 to 2004 for United Telephone Company and later Sprint Telecommunications. Following his retirement, he and his wife, Beth, moved to Raymondville.
He enjoyed helping others. He was a volunteer little league coach and led 4-H Club event. He enjoyed camping, hunting, trail riding, roping, motorcycling, fishing and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs. He loved his family and cherished spending time with them.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Beth of Raymondville; two sons, Brian Thomas of San Angelo, Texas, and Brent Thomas of Hodgenville, Ky.; four grandchildren; a brother, Wayne Thomas of Rushville, Ill.; and two sisters, Alice Warner of Louisiana and Margaret Sullivan of Vermont, Ill.
Services were Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa, with the Rev. John Epperson officiating. Burial with military honors was in Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Adel, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to the Dale Thomas Memorial Fund and sent in care of Beth Thomas, 20045 Golden Trail, Raymondville, Mo., 65555.