Nicholas Montgomery Thein

Nicholas M. Thein returned to his Heavenly Father on May 10, 2019. Nicholas was born in Woodland Hills, California on July 30, 1987. From the moment he drew his first breath, he became a bridge of joy to so many people. For his brothers and sisters, he became the bridge that defined family. For his parents, he became a bridge of hope and beauty for the future. Nicholas was the symbol of joy to his family. His infectious laughter drew his family together. He was joy personified during his life. As he grew, he drew the hurting, the broken, the embarrassed, the shy, the silly, and the confident, beautiful, and often, the unlovely to himself. Just to share a bit of himself was not sufficient. He was all in to everyone he met. This was his mission. Whether he was working on a car, working in the oil industry, or waiting tables in a restaurant, he infused people with his laughter and his sense of true compassion. He lived generously; he gave to others; he lived life with every ounce of himself, leaving nothing on the table unused, forgotten, or dismissed; and experienced all life had to give good and bad. He paid consequences for his decisions, never cursing the cost, but accepting his responsibility for his decisions as he determined to “dream big; do bigger.” He fought valiantly to make good decisions, to set a good example, and to fight the challenges that followed him. Still, like a soldier engaged in a seemingly endless battle, weariness set in, and the challenge prevailed. We celebrate the days, months, and the moments when he was victorious. To his nieces and nephews, he was the effusive uncle who believed they were capable of greatness, and made it his mission to embed that belief in them. To his siblings, he was the secret-keeper; the laughter-generator; the mischief-maker; the beautiful brother who shared the world through the eyes of each one. To his cousins, he was a life-long best friend; a hiding place; a mentor; a nurturer; the symbol of family intertwined in love. To his aunts and uncles, he was faithful and honest, even in his darkest hours. Nicholas was preceded in death by his niece, Anna Lee Suarez. He is survived by his parents, Lynda and Robert Thein; brothers, Shaun Guidry (Marianna) The Woodlands, Tx, Ryan Thein, Valejo, CA Robert Corey Thein, of the home; sisters, Joby Suarez (Adrian) Magnolia, Tx, Janell Lawrence (David) Marathon, FL Keys, and Allyson Harris, (Brian,) Redding, CA. He is also survived by niece Taylor Guidry; nephews, Tyler Suarez, Jordan Guidry, Christian Suarez, Gabriel Suarez, and Cooper Suarez. He is treasured by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and family members. Our hearts cry out; still, we know, he is rejoicing in the joy of his salvation, safe in the arms of Christ.