Milton Neil Thomas Sr.

Milton Neil Thomas Sr was born January 17, 1936 to Myrtle Zoe (Fox) and Albert Loring Thomas in Centralia, Washington and passed away March 11, 2017 in the Community Living Center at the VA Hospital Seattle, Washington.

He graduated from Centralia High School in 1956.

He joined the U.S. Air Force in November 1956 making a career of it, retiring in April 1977. During his military service he worked as both a boiler plant operator and a loadmaster. He was stationed during his career in Texas, France, Greenland, Colorado, Minnesota, and McChord Air Force base Tacoma, Washington.

He married Flossie Ann Hemenway September 5th 1963 in Minnesota. They had four children, Richard Alan, Milton Neil Jr, Gerri Diane and Margaret Zoe. Flossie traveled with him from Minnesota to Colorado and then back to home settling in Centralia when he was stationed at McChord. Mom and Dad separated in 1982.

While he was a loadmaster he traveled around the world including flying in and out of Vietnam enough to be classified as a Vietnam veteran. After he retired from the Air Force he worked briefly for Hemphill-O’Neill in Chehalis and several years for Louis Stoffer & Son in Centralia before medical issues caused him to retire completely.

He loved trains and model railroading his whole life.

He was a lifelong member of Calvary Assembly of God in Centralia, Washington. He was fond of saying he attended church there since 1935.

He was preceded in death by both parents, one brother, Albert Eugene Thomas and one granddaughter Melissa Burns.

He is survived by his brother, Kermit Thomas of Vader and his children: Richard (Shantell) Thomas and Milton Neil Thomas Jr of Centralia, Gerri (Jerry) Akers of Curtis and Margaret (Lee) McCracken of Renton. His treasured grandchildren: Jade, Sam and Karma Thomas and Marty Burns of Centralia and Aiden and Porter Thomas of Longview. Numerous nieces, nephews and assorted relatives.

The internment will be held March 23rd 2017 1pm at Tahoma National Cemetery with full military honors. Pastor Myron Ness officiating. The memorial service will be held April 8th 2017 at Calvary Assembly of God in Centralia, Washington at 1pm. Pastors Myron Ness and James Blakenship officiating.