Albert P. Thomas

Albert P. Thomas, 88, also known as “Frampa”, passed away peacefully at the Living Care Retirement Community in Yakima, Wash. on May 23, 2010. He was born in Richardton, North Dakota, on October 8, 1921, to Joseph P. and Margaret (Miller) Thomas. Albert moved to Yakima with his family in 1942 where he spent the rest of his life.

He married Irene Kuntz at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yakima on October 24, 1944. Albert was a Division Manager and the “Paint Man” at Sears Roebuck for more than 40 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Al suffered from polio as a child, but you would hardly know it when he was on the dance floor doing the polka with his wife, or dancing to his favorite Glenn Miller tune, “In the Mood.” He enjoyed playing the guitar when he was younger, and loved to watch and cuss out the Mariners on TV. Al and Irene were “Snowbirds” for many years, traveling in their motor home to Arizona during the winter and all over the USA during the summer.

Al was proud of his two children and their achievements. He enjoyed visiting his son while in the Army, including two trips to Germany. He was proud of and dearly loved his grandchildren. He would boast about how blessed he was to have a family that brought so much joy and excitement, such as watching his granddaughter graduate summa cum laude from Law School and one grandson serve admirably in the United States Army with two tours in Iraq. He was blessed to watch another grandson graduate from the United States Air Force Academy, who is currently serving a second tour as an F-16 Fighter Pilot in Iraq; and finally, the joy he felt when another granddaughter always found time to visit with him.

Albert is survived by his wife, Irene Thomas; two sisters, Loretta Carl and Edna Fuchs; and one brother, Robert (Judy) Thomas, all of Yakima; his children, Kathleen (Mark) Nedrow of Selah and Gerald (Nan) Thomas of Arlington, Wash.; four grandchildren, Stephanie (Steve) Grassia of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Lt. Col. Jeffrey (Janice Hanson) Nedrow of Elgin, South Carolina, Amy Nedrow of Yakima and Capt. Jason Thomas of Vancouver, Wash.; one great-grandchild, Sarah Hanson Nedrow of Elgin, South Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Thomas, one brother, George Thomas, and three sisters, Isabel James, Frieda Lockbeam and Rosemary Fuller.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, 2010 with a Rosary/Vigil beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, Yakima, WA

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 27th at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

The family wishes to express its gratitude for the care given to “Mr. Al” by the staff of Living Care Retirement Community. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to March of Dimes or your favorite charity in care of Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, 1010 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902. “For you have always been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.” Psalm 63-7

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.