Richard (Rich) Allen Thomas went to his heavenly father on March 13, 2014 at 9:20 in the morning. Rich was born October 29, 1924 in Brainerd, Minnesota to the late Benjamin L. Thomas and Marie Thomas. Rich served in the Navy aboard the air craft carrier USS Manila Bay in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He married his one true love Geraldine (Weenie) Silvera Thomas on December 8, 1945. They were married 68 years. Rich was a painter and wallpaper hanger for 35 years in the Bay Area. Rich and Weenie were blessed with three children Terry Thomas Dudgeon of Newcastle, Larry Thomas of Reno, NV, and Gary Thomas of Granite Bay. Rich and Weenie founded the Sunnyvale Golden Eagle Drum and Bell Corp in the mid 60’s and was instrumental in building a positive work ethic, discipline and a model of love for many children. The group won the California State Championships in 1963. Rich retired to the Auburn area in 1981 where he loved to fish, play horse shoes, poker, and watch his 6 granddaughters grow. Rich will be remembered by all as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a hardworking man, generous beyond words, and painfully honest. He is survived by his wife Weenie, his children Terry Dudgeon, Bert Dudgeon (son in law), Larry Thomas, Gary Thomas, and Lorraine Thomas (daughter in law) his six granddaughters Kristy Dudgeon Krause, Jennifer Thomas, Chandra Thomas, Raina Thomas, Kory Dudgeon Murphy, and Casey Thomas Gustafson, his ten great grandchildren Jacob Krause, Cole Dudgeon Murphy, Zack Krause, Ryan Jane Murphy, Holten Thomas Mercer, Destyn Thomas, Brady Murphy, Keller Gustafson, Brixton Murphy and Tolan Gustafson. He is also survived by his two remaining sisters Marlyss Thomas D’Amato, Dorothy Thomas Ross and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Marie Thomas, his father and mother in law John Silvera and Theresa Vargas Silvera, his two brothers Arthur (Bud) Thomas and Don Thomas, and his daughter in law Debbie Jones Thomas.
A rosary will be held on Monday, March 17th at 7:00pm at Chapel of the Hills, Auburn. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 18th at 11:00am at St. Joseph Parish Catholic Church, Auburn with the burial to follow at Newcastle Cemetery.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5