David Leroy Thomas

KSB Dixon Hospital. AT Dixon High School Dave played football and baseball, was first Chair Trumpet in the band and played in the Dixon Municipal Band

Dave attended the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign (UIUC) as a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and with an ROTC scholarship, he received a General Engineering Degree. After college, he became an Ensign in the Navy for three years active-duty on the Charles R. Ware DD and seventeen in the Reserves. He retired as a Commander.

He attended Law School at UIUC. Having graduated from Law School and while serving in the Law Dept. of the City of Peoria, IL. he became the Corporation Counsel. Dave and his judiciary staff represented the city with legal issues during the construction of the Medical School, the renovation of South Town Projects and the building of the Civic Center.

He married Helen Sue Speiser, a Parkland Community College Biology Instructor, in 1972 and they recently celebrated their 51" wedding anniversary June 17th, 2023.

Dave was Director of Finance at the First United Methodist Church in Peoria IL and active with the Heart of Illinois Harvest Food Service for the homeless and poor.

Their first child, Laura Kristine was born in 1974 and passed away at age 25 after her fourth open-heart surgery. She was married to Martyn vander Noordaa from Holland.

Michael Scott Thomas, born in 1976, lives in Bloomington, IL with his wife, Katrisha and three Sons, Ben, age 14; Sam, age 11; and Max, age 8.

In 2003, Dave and Sue moved to Sun Lakes, AZ. Dave was a Director on the Board of Pastor Richard Thomson's Hope in Christ Church in Phoenix.

Dave and Sue joined Compass Christian Church in Chandler, AZ, were active at the Bridge ministry for jr. high and high school students and were members of small fellowship groups.

Dave is remembered as a compassionate and helpful man, eager to donate his time and resources to help those in need within the community. He was a loving husband and Father who put the needs of his family before his own.

Dave was a follower of Jesus Christ and knew Him personally as his LORD and Savior. He was confident that the perfect life Jesus lived qualified Him for the death He died to provide Salvation for all humanity so that the death He died qualified us for the perfect life He lived.

Dave's obituary is recorded within the Dignity Memorial, Valley of the Sun Mortuary &

Cemetery, He passed away on June 23, 2023 at Eternal Spring Assisted Living in Gilbert, AZ.

A celebration of Dave's life with military presence will be shared on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at

Park View Cemetery in Peoria, IL where his daughter is interred. Visitation will be from

10-12 am, July 29 followed by his celebration of life, internment, and refreshments.

A celebration of Dave's life will be shared at Compass Christian Church in Chandler, AZ and will be announced at a later date.