Abner Leroderigo Thomas

He was born July 4, 1928 to Jesse and Lula Mae Thomas in Tyler, Texas, one of nine

children. He attended Jarvis Christian College on a football scholarship. In 1947 Abner

enlisted in the US Army, serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring as a Sergeant

in the Military Police in 1968, at Fort Lewis, WA.

Abner was a Sergeant with the Port of Seattle Police Department for 9 years, then promoted

to POS Airport Operations Supervisor, retiring in 1989. Abner's community contributions

included Commissioner for the Port of Seattle Police Department, SeaTac City Fire Department

Advocate, and SeaTac City Councilman. He was also a member of The Breakfast Group.

From 1973 until 1989 Abner volunteered to work with the University of Washington Football

Team. Upon retirement, UW Athletic Director Mike Lude hired Abner as a Special Assistant with

UW Football, where he spent the next 25 years doing what he loved: mentoring and supporting

student athletes. Abner was an influence, for 41 years, in the lives of UW football players and

athletes, who knew him as "Uncle Ab" and "Big Ab."

Abner is survived by his wife Donna (37 years), his children Rosa Patricia Montgomery, Howard J.

Thomas, Delores J. Gary and Abner L. Thomas, Jr. (Julie), his brother Jesse Thomas, Jr (Lillie) of

Santa Barbara, CA, sister Clara Johnson of Los Angeles, CA, cousin Lucille Fisher of Mercer

Island, Wa and brother-in-law Michael Cassidy (Cheryl), Wenatchee, Wa. He cherished his

seven grandchildren: Raina & Dax Montgomery, Trenton Gary, Jessica Dubose (Edgar),

Michael Thomas (Kisha), Marc Thomas, and Dion Thomas, and absolutely adored his

twelve great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. They will deeply miss his love

and presence in their lives.

A Celebration of Abner's Life will be held at the University of Washington on Thursday,

August 7th at 1:00 P.M. in the Don James Center at Husky Stadium ( parking in E-12 & E-17 lots).

No flowers please. Donations to the UW Athletic Scholarship Fund, in honor of Abner Thomas,

c/o Tyee Club, BOX 354070, Seattle 98195 ( 206-543-2234).

Private Burial.