Gentry, Arkansas to Hugh and Ethel
Crowder Thomas.
The family relocated to farmland near
Beebeetown, Iowa. After graduating high school,
Del played semi-professional baseball. Del
married in 1951 and started a family.
Shortly thereafter, he was drafted, served
in Korea and was wounded.
In 1956, the family moved to California,
where Del began his civil service career at
McClellan Air Force Base and finished at
Wright-Patterson AFB. Upon retirement, Del
realized his long-held vision of autonomy,
and for a decade, drove his own
semi on the open road.
For his last 20 years, Del shared land in
Nevada's Carson Valley with his beloved Morgan
and German Shepherds.
Del passed Nov 24, 2018 and is survived by
daughter Bonnie, sons Brian and Brent, two
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Del will be buried December 13th, 1:00 p.m.
in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery,
5810 Midway Rd. in Dixon, CA, open to
all veterans of active duty.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions
in his name to your local Hospice.
