Neal Merril Thomas

Neal Merril Thomas, age 84, died April 6, 2022, in Lehi, Utah. He was born October 18, 1937, in Logan, Utah to Julian Robert and Norene Richins Thomas. His dad was a forest ranger and his mother was a school teacher. They lived in Duchesne, Monticello, and Salt Lake City, Utah. He spent most of his growing up years in Monticello and graduated from Monticello High School in 1956. From 1958 to 1960 he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in New Zealand.

He attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical Engineering. While in college Neal married Jennie Lee Hansen on September 9, 1966, in the Salt Lake Temple. Following his university work, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force and worked as an electrical engineer on military projects including the MX missile program. They moved several times within the United States in connection with Neal’s Air Force assignments and eventually settled in Highland, California. He worked with Jennie as devoted parents to raise their two boys, Michael and Matthew. Neal loved being with his family, going to the beach and trips back to Utah to be with family. He enjoyed playing basketball, swimming, coaching and watching his sons in sports and being with them in their various activities.

It was difficult when Neal lost Jennie to cancer in 2003 and his oldest son Michael in 2010. Neal married Meri Whitwood on October 21, 2006 in West Valley City. They enjoyed living in their homes in Highland, California in the winter going to the beach, and in West Valley City, Utah in the summer doing many various activities in both places.

Neal is survived by his wife Meri, son Matthew (Adelle) Thomas, daughter-in-law Jaci, stepsons Mitch (Lisa), Mike (Courtney) and Marc Rogers, and stepdaughter Michelle (Trevor) Larsen, grandchildren Ethan, Emma, Elijah, Naomi, Corban, and Luca Thomas, step-grand-children Fisher, Bailey, Chason, Tru, Cash, Teck Rogers and Caleb Larsen, sister Dian Thomas, brother Clyde (Lori) Thomas, sister-in-laws Jan Thomas and Cherie Thomas. He is preceded in death by his wife Jennie Thomas, son Michael Neal Thomas, parents and brothers Jay and Jared.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 10:00 am at the Hunter 5th Ward at 5065 West Janette Ave (3890 South), West Valley City. A viewing will be held at the same location from 9:00-9:45 am before the services.

The funeral will be available on the internet at the following link https://youtube.com/user/CraigCMS

Interment will be at the Emery City Cemetery on Wednesday April 20, 2022.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to David Wetzel, the physical therapist who helped Neal for 7 months with his walking and mobility, and many wonderful people at Elevation Hospice and Belleview Assisted Living and Memory Care who helped Neal.