Jim died at his home after battling cancer for several years. After graduating from Sugar Salem High School in 1954, he joined Idaho National Guard, where he remained active until 1966. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Karen Mihlfeith from Plano, from 1957 until they divorced in 1977. On September 29, 1989, he married Laura Burgess and inherited two children, Matthew and Jennifer. Jim worked as a mechanic from 1956 to 1962 and later opened his own repair shop. He attended classes at Ricks College and Idaho State College extensions. After his business closed in 1964, he worked as an auto & tractor mechanic in Rigby & Idaho Falls. From 1965 to 1977 he was a deputy sheriff for Bonneville County. Later, he worked at EG&G Idaho as an Instrument Assembly Technician and as a lead Electrical Technician in Idaho Falls, Raft River, Three Mile Island, and Japan, then continued on as a construction engineer at Lockheed Martin and Bechtel Corp. After retiring in 1995, he was a consultant for Lockheed, working on Pit 9 until that project's closure. He then worked at the Elk's Lodge as facility maintenance and repair manager for 13 years. Jim was a member of Bonneville County Search & Rescue for over thirty years. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for several years while enjoying his beloved game of golf. Survivors beside Laurie included: son Matthew (Rachel Smith) Burgess and their children LaCretia, Laekin, Mavanee, MayeRee, Garren, MaLaine, and Gideon of Wellsville, UT; daughter Jennifer (Rick) Woods of Idaho Falls; grandsons Alexander James Hollibaugh of Fort Campbell, KY, Chase Gokey of Idaho Falls, and Kristian Taylor of Pocatello; sisters Dawn (Don) Virgin of Sugar City and Sharlene (Tom) Milligan of Driggs; and brother Norman (Ellen "Nellie" Dexter) Thomas of Twin Falls. He was preceded by a sister and his parents.
∼
James "Jim" Lawrence Thomas, 77, died Friday, December 13, 2013, at his home following several years battling cancer.
He was born March 20, 1936, in Sugar City, Idaho, to John Alexander Thomas and Marvella Annie Harris Thomas. Jim attended Sugar-Salem High School, graduating in 1954. He joined the Idaho National Guard the same year and remained active until 1966.
Jim worked on a few local farms after graduating high school and married his high school sweetheart, Karen Mihlfeith from Plano, in 1957. They were divorced in 1977.
He worked as a mechanic from 1956 to 1962, and later opened his own repair shop. He also attended classes at Ricks College and Idaho State College extensions. He closed his business in 1964 and worked as an auto and tractor mechanic in Rigby and Idaho Falls. From 1965 to 1977, he was a deputy sheriff for Bonneville County.
He went to work at EG&G Idaho as an instrument assembly technician and as a lead electrical technician in Idaho Falls, Raft River, Three Mile Island and Japan. He then continued on as a construction engineer at Lockheed Martin and Bechtel Corporation, retiring in 1995.
After retirement, he became a consultant for Lockheed, working on Pit 9 until the project's closure. He then went to work at the Elks Lodge doing their facility maintenance and repair for 13 years.
Jim was a member of the Bonneville County Search and Rescue for over 30 years. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for several years while enjoying his beloved game of golf.
On September 29, 1989, he married Laura "Laurie" Burgess. He inherited two children, Matthew and Jennifer.
Survivors are his wife, Laurie; son, Matthew (Rachel Smith) Burgess; and seven grandchildren, LaCretia, Laekin, Mavanee, MayeRee, Garren, MaLaine and Gideon of Wellsville, Utah; daughter, Jennifer (Rick) Woods of Idaho Falls; grandsons, Alexander James Hollibaugh of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Chase Gokey of Idaho Falls and Kristian Taylor of Pocatello; sisters, Dawn (Don) Virgin of Sugar City and Sharlene (Tom) Milligan of Driggs; brother, Norman (Ellen "Nellie" Dexter) Thomas of Twin Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister and his parents.
Jim was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. He will be truly missed.
To celebrate his life, have a beer and remember what a good friend he was. There will be no funeral at this time. Anyone needing or wanting to pay their respects to the family may do so at Jim and Laurie's residence at any time.
A memorial will be held in Sugar City next spring. Memorial details will be posted at a later date.
Condolences may also be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
Family Tribute
Published in Post Register on Dec. 15, 2013
∼
James "Jim" Lawrence Thomas, 77, died Friday, December 13, 2013, at his home following several years battling cancer.
He was born March 20, 1936, in Sugar City, Idaho, to John Alexander Thomas and Marvella Annie Harris Thomas. Jim attended Sugar-Salem High School, graduating in 1954. He joined the Idaho National Guard the same year and remained active until 1966.
Jim worked on a few local farms after graduating high school and married his high school sweetheart, Karen Mihlfeith from Plano, in 1957. They were divorced in 1977.
He worked as a mechanic from 1956 to 1962, and later opened his own repair shop. He also attended classes at Ricks College and Idaho State College extensions. He closed his business in 1964 and worked as an auto and tractor mechanic in Rigby and Idaho Falls. From 1965 to 1977, he was a deputy sheriff for Bonneville County.
He went to work at EG&G Idaho as an instrument assembly technician and as a lead electrical technician in Idaho Falls, Raft River, Three Mile Island and Japan. He then continued on as a construction engineer at Lockheed Martin and Bechtel Corporation, retiring in 1995.
After retirement, he became a consultant for Lockheed, working on Pit 9 until the project's closure. He then went to work at the Elks Lodge doing their facility maintenance and repair for 13 years.
Jim was a member of the Bonneville County Search and Rescue for over 30 years. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for several years while enjoying his beloved game of golf.
On September 29, 1989, he married Laura "Laurie" Burgess. He inherited two children, Matthew and Jennifer.
Survivors are his wife, Laurie; son, Matthew (Rachel Smith) Burgess; and seven grandchildren, LaCretia, Laekin, Mavanee, MayeRee, Garren, MaLaine and Gideon of Wellsville, Utah; daughter, Jennifer (Rick) Woods of Idaho Falls; grandsons, Alexander James Hollibaugh of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Chase Gokey of Idaho Falls and Kristian Taylor of Pocatello; sisters, Dawn (Don) Virgin of Sugar City and Sharlene (Tom) Milligan of Driggs; brother, Norman (Ellen "Nellie" Dexter) Thomas of Twin Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister and his parents.
Jim was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. He will be truly missed.
To celebrate his life, have a beer and remember what a good friend he was. There will be no funeral at this time. Anyone needing or wanting to pay their respects to the family may do so at Jim and Laurie's residence at any time.
A memorial will be held in Sugar City next spring. Memorial details will be posted at a later date.
Condolences may also be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
Family Tribute
Published in Post Register on Dec. 15, 2013
Jim died at his home after battling cancer for several years. After graduating from Sugar Salem High School in 1954, he joined Idaho National Guard, where he remained active until 1966. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Karen Mihlfeith from Plano, from 1957 until they divorced in 1977. On September 29, 1989, he married Laura Burgess and inherited two children, Matthew and Jennifer. Jim worked as a mechanic from 1956 to 1962 and later opened his own repair shop. He attended classes at Ricks College and Idaho State College extensions. After his business closed in 1964, he worked as an auto & tractor mechanic in Rigby & Idaho Falls. From 1965 to 1977 he was a deputy sheriff for Bonneville County. Later, he worked at EG&G Idaho as an Instrument Assembly Technician and as a lead Electrical Technician in Idaho Falls, Raft River, Three Mile Island, and Japan, then continued on as a construction engineer at Lockheed Martin and Bechtel Corp. After retiring in 1995, he was a consultant for Lockheed, working on Pit 9 until that project's closure. He then worked at the Elk's Lodge as facility maintenance and repair manager for 13 years. Jim was a member of Bonneville County Search & Rescue for over thirty years. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for several years while enjoying his beloved game of golf. Survivors beside Laurie included: son Matthew (Rachel Smith) Burgess and their children LaCretia, Laekin, Mavanee, MayeRee, Garren, MaLaine, and Gideon of Wellsville, UT; daughter Jennifer (Rick) Woods of Idaho Falls; grandsons Alexander James Hollibaugh of Fort Campbell, KY, Chase Gokey of Idaho Falls, and Kristian Taylor of Pocatello; sisters Dawn (Don) Virgin of Sugar City and Sharlene (Tom) Milligan of Driggs; and brother Norman (Ellen "Nellie" Dexter) Thomas of Twin Falls. He was preceded by a sister and his parents.
∼
James "Jim" Lawrence Thomas, 77, died Friday, December 13, 2013, at his home following several years battling cancer.
He was born March 20, 1936, in Sugar City, Idaho, to John Alexander Thomas and Marvella Annie Harris Thomas. Jim attended Sugar-Salem High School, graduating in 1954. He joined the Idaho National Guard the same year and remained active until 1966.
Jim worked on a few local farms after graduating high school and married his high school sweetheart, Karen Mihlfeith from Plano, in 1957. They were divorced in 1977.
He worked as a mechanic from 1956 to 1962, and later opened his own repair shop. He also attended classes at Ricks College and Idaho State College extensions. He closed his business in 1964 and worked as an auto and tractor mechanic in Rigby and Idaho Falls. From 1965 to 1977, he was a deputy sheriff for Bonneville County.
He went to work at EG&G Idaho as an instrument assembly technician and as a lead electrical technician in Idaho Falls, Raft River, Three Mile Island and Japan. He then continued on as a construction engineer at Lockheed Martin and Bechtel Corporation, retiring in 1995.
After retirement, he became a consultant for Lockheed, working on Pit 9 until the project's closure. He then went to work at the Elks Lodge doing their facility maintenance and repair for 13 years.
Jim was a member of the Bonneville County Search and Rescue for over 30 years. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for several years while enjoying his beloved game of golf.
On September 29, 1989, he married Laura "Laurie" Burgess. He inherited two children, Matthew and Jennifer.
Survivors are his wife, Laurie; son, Matthew (Rachel Smith) Burgess; and seven grandchildren, LaCretia, Laekin, Mavanee, MayeRee, Garren, MaLaine and Gideon of Wellsville, Utah; daughter, Jennifer (Rick) Woods of Idaho Falls; grandsons, Alexander James Hollibaugh of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Chase Gokey of Idaho Falls and Kristian Taylor of Pocatello; sisters, Dawn (Don) Virgin of Sugar City and Sharlene (Tom) Milligan of Driggs; brother, Norman (Ellen "Nellie" Dexter) Thomas of Twin Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister and his parents.
Jim was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. He will be truly missed.
To celebrate his life, have a beer and remember what a good friend he was. There will be no funeral at this time. Anyone needing or wanting to pay their respects to the family may do so at Jim and Laurie's residence at any time.
A memorial will be held in Sugar City next spring. Memorial details will be posted at a later date.
Condolences may also be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
Family Tribute
Published in Post Register on Dec. 15, 2013
∼
James "Jim" Lawrence Thomas, 77, died Friday, December 13, 2013, at his home following several years battling cancer.
He was born March 20, 1936, in Sugar City, Idaho, to John Alexander Thomas and Marvella Annie Harris Thomas. Jim attended Sugar-Salem High School, graduating in 1954. He joined the Idaho National Guard the same year and remained active until 1966.
Jim worked on a few local farms after graduating high school and married his high school sweetheart, Karen Mihlfeith from Plano, in 1957. They were divorced in 1977.
He worked as a mechanic from 1956 to 1962, and later opened his own repair shop. He also attended classes at Ricks College and Idaho State College extensions. He closed his business in 1964 and worked as an auto and tractor mechanic in Rigby and Idaho Falls. From 1965 to 1977, he was a deputy sheriff for Bonneville County.
He went to work at EG&G Idaho as an instrument assembly technician and as a lead electrical technician in Idaho Falls, Raft River, Three Mile Island and Japan. He then continued on as a construction engineer at Lockheed Martin and Bechtel Corporation, retiring in 1995.
After retirement, he became a consultant for Lockheed, working on Pit 9 until the project's closure. He then went to work at the Elks Lodge doing their facility maintenance and repair for 13 years.
Jim was a member of the Bonneville County Search and Rescue for over 30 years. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for several years while enjoying his beloved game of golf.
On September 29, 1989, he married Laura "Laurie" Burgess. He inherited two children, Matthew and Jennifer.
Survivors are his wife, Laurie; son, Matthew (Rachel Smith) Burgess; and seven grandchildren, LaCretia, Laekin, Mavanee, MayeRee, Garren, MaLaine and Gideon of Wellsville, Utah; daughter, Jennifer (Rick) Woods of Idaho Falls; grandsons, Alexander James Hollibaugh of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Chase Gokey of Idaho Falls and Kristian Taylor of Pocatello; sisters, Dawn (Don) Virgin of Sugar City and Sharlene (Tom) Milligan of Driggs; brother, Norman (Ellen "Nellie" Dexter) Thomas of Twin Falls; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister and his parents.
Jim was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. He will be truly missed.
To celebrate his life, have a beer and remember what a good friend he was. There will be no funeral at this time. Anyone needing or wanting to pay their respects to the family may do so at Jim and Laurie's residence at any time.
A memorial will be held in Sugar City next spring. Memorial details will be posted at a later date.
Condolences may also be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
Family Tribute
Published in Post Register on Dec. 15, 2013
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
