Richard L. Thomas Jr.

Richard Louis Thomas Jr., known to all as “Dick,” was born on April 21, 1949, in Davenport, Iowa, to Irma Behr and Richard Thomas Sr. The oldest of seven children, he grew up with a sense of responsibility and care for others that would define him throughout his life.

Dick graduated from Davenport West High School before answering his country’s call to service. Drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, he completed basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and was deployed to Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 as part of the 585th Combat Engineers. There, he served as a truck driver, behind the wheel of his beloved deuce-and-a-half — a truck he affectionately nicknamed “the Lemon.” His service reflected a quiet courage that he carried with him long after he came home.

Back in Davenport, Dick built a life of steady, honest work. He devoted 20 years to the City of Davenport before returning to the road as a truck driver in various roles. He capped his working years doing something that suited him perfectly — serving others as a case aide and bus driver, where his warmth and dependability made a lasting impression.

Outside of work, you could often find Dick at a car show, where he was in his element —admiring the craftsmanship, swapping stories, and soaking in the culture he loved. When he wasn’t at a show, he could be found cheering on his Pittsburgh Steelers, rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates, or settling in for a night of WWE wrestling.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Irma; his stepfather, Harry; his father, Richard Thomas Sr.; and his beloved siblings Nancy and Roger Thomas.

Dick is survived by the family he treasured: his daughter Jody (Ronnie) and their children Amber and Austin; his son Tyler (Macy) and their children Maddux and Cooper; his stepdaughter Jamy and her daughter Jenna and granddaughter Esme; his stepson Phil (Jackie) and their children Carson and Colin; and his devoted girlfriend, Clarissa, along with her children Gary and Anna and many grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.