Krista Louise Thomas

Krista Louise Thomas, age 46, passed away at home on Friday, May 20, 2022. She developed side effects from brain tumors in March 2021 and was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) shortly thereafter. She endured the standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments, plus follow-up chemotherapy. Krista overcame countless tumor and treatment side effects and continued enjoying her quality of life, often walking as much as half a mile each day on the trail in her backyard.

Krista is survived by David Floyd Thomas, her husband of 24 years; their children: Hannah Thomas, Samuel Thomas, and Nathan Thomas; parents Virgil Gerlach, and Donna Bridston, step-parents Mary Gerlach and Terry Bridston; and siblings Jennifer (David) Bain, Derrick Gerlach, Kurt Gerlach, Natalie Gerlach, and Chelsea Gerlach.

Krista was born June 5, 1975, in Upland, California to Donna Bridston and Virgil Gerlach, then raised in Rancho Cucamonga. After graduating from Alta Loma High School in 1993, Krista attended Chaffey College and the Alta Loma LDS Institute of Religion, where she met her future husband, David. In 1996, she served an 18-month mission in Baltimore, Maryland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Five months after returning, she and David were wed on June 20th, sealed for time and all eternity at the San Diego LDS Temple. They owned a home in Upland and became parents in 2002 when Hannah was born. Sam followed a year later, and Nathan four years after that. Krista's maternal grandmother sold them her home in Alta Loma, a community where they enjoyed living.

Krista has always been an animal lover, and multiple dogs and cats kept her company when David was working and their children were at school.

Prior to becoming a mother, Krista worked many customer service, creative, and cashier positions. She worked at Yogurt & More, Sbarro Pizza, Golf Land, House of Fabrics, Bank of America, The Disney Store, and her favorite place: Disneyland. Anything she did received 100% of her efforts. As someone who wrote names on the back of Mickey Ear hats, her talents were noticed and preferred by the president of Disneyland. She loved to create magic inside and outside of Disney. When she became a mother, her priorities changed and the family remained single income to focus on their upbringing. She did join Creative Memories and Mary Kay, mostly for personal product use and to participate with a group of peers.

Krista set an example with her education as she continued taking classes, earning three Associates degrees, then continuing to earn her Bachelor's degree from BYU Idaho. (She was four classes away from completing three more AAs.)

Krista's faith was strong, loving both God and her neighbors. She loved to volunteer her talents in service to others, and would sew, paint, design, and help people be more creative. She would teach the "Meet the Masters" art program to elementary school students. Her favorite event to volunteer at was the annual Young Women's Camp for her church. She was director for one year, and enjoyed her trail rides on the golf cart, always keeping the girls a priority with camp activities.

Above all, Krista knew how to give gifts and services that others would love, and create memorable feelings that will endure in our thoughts of her. Her presence is missed, and we look forward to being reunited with her in the next life.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on June 3rd, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6525 Sapphire Street, Alta Loma, CA 91701.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 21st, 2022, at Bellevue Memorial Park, 1240 West "G" Street, Ontario, CA 91762.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a favorite family or organization of your choosing.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonefuneralhomeupland.com for the Thomas family.