Fredrick Domnic Thomas (86), born January 24, 1932 in Pueblo, Colorado to Rosario DiTomaso (Ross Thomas) and Gelsomina Venditti (Josephine), the youngest of five children, passed away January 16, 2019. Growing up on the St. Charles Mesa, Fred learned farming at a very young age. He graduated from Pleasant View High School in 1950. He then started work at the CF&I Steel Mill and shortly after was involved in a serious car accident. During his lengthy hospitalization, he met a “cute red headed candy-striper”, Donna Jean Cape. They were married November 17, 1951 and welcomed seven children from 1952 to 1966. In the early years of marriage and family life (while working at the Mill), Fred helped his Dad farm the family land. When they grew too large for the “little house”, Fred built the family home on his portion of the farmland and they moved in February of 1959. He later worked part time at Tiny’s Packing House. Fred always found time for his children, teaching everyone how to play his favorite sport, baseball. There are many fond memories of swimming, fishing, bowling and the multiple farm animals they raised. He enjoyed working on and restoring old cars with his sons. Sometime around their 25th wedding anniversary, Fred made new rings from silver coins for Donna and himself which they both cherished. After 46 years at the Mill, he retired as a senior chemist in 1996. Fred & Donna spent their golden years playing golf, bowling, traveling the US, baking cookies, researching family genealogy and enjoying their grandchildren. Fred lost Donna in 2005 and decided life was too short and traveled to Italy. Along with his children, he visited Italy four times, with much time being spent in Civitanova del Sannio, the birthplace of his father, and Carpinone, the village of his mother’s family. Fred was known for his quick-wit, kind heart and love for his family. Although out of school for nearly 70 years, he enjoyed monthly luncheons with classmates. Fred was a cookie lover, and always had his homemade pizzelles or chocolate cookies on hand. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles and Joseph Thomas, sisters Virginia Allen and Vera Thomas, son Fredrick Richard, wife Donna, and son-in-law Vern Colvin. Fred is survived by his children and their spouses: Janet and Dan Boyd (Pueblo), Greg and Martha Thomas (Dysart, Iowa), Nancy Colvin (Pueblo), Ross and Marie Thomas (Shawnee, Kansas), Tim and NancyAnn Thomas (Falcon, Colorado) and Darla and Gary Jackson (Bloomington, Illinois). He is survived by nineteen grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren, who all dearly loved Grandpa and Papa Great. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family. Visitation Thursday January 24th 3-5pm at TG McCarthy. Services Friday at 10am, at St. Joseph Parish.
