Donald Phillip "Don" Thomas
Donald "Don" Phillip Thomas, 97, passed away of natural causes at his home in Klamath Falls, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2009. A Service of Tribute and Love will be held at Eternal Hills Chapel on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Ernie Mathis officiating. Private cremation and inurnment were held at Eternal Hills Memorial Gardens. Don was born in Hardington, Neb., on Sept. 3, 1911. He was the 12th of 13 children. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne paratroopers from 1941 to 1944. He earned a Purple Heart medal after his tours in Italy, North Africa and Germany. His memorial brick can be viewed at Veterans Memorial Park in Klamath Falls. His early years in Oregon were spent working at the Winema Hotel as a bellhop, in the auto body business, and as a service manager for auto dealerships in Klamath Falls. He retired in 1976. Don married Jean Crable in 1951. Their marriage of 59 years produced a son and two daughters. When his son was younger, Don was involved with baseball. He was an avid bowler until age 96 when he had a 153 average. He bowled with a Wii and bowled 299 and 300 games at the age of 97. He enjoyed watching boxing, baseball and football. He loved hunting and fishing. He was one of the founding members of Unlimited Pheasants. Don is survived by his wife, Jean, of 59 years; his children, Vance, Marcia and Gayle and their families, including six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Klamath Hospice.
Donald "Don" Phillip Thomas, 97, passed away of natural causes at his home in Klamath Falls, Ore., on Feb. 22, 2009. A Service of Tribute and Love will be held at Eternal Hills Chapel on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Ernie Mathis officiating. Private cremation and inurnment were held at Eternal Hills Memorial Gardens. Don was born in Hardington, Neb., on Sept. 3, 1911. He was the 12th of 13 children. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne paratroopers from 1941 to 1944. He earned a Purple Heart medal after his tours in Italy, North Africa and Germany. His memorial brick can be viewed at Veterans Memorial Park in Klamath Falls. His early years in Oregon were spent working at the Winema Hotel as a bellhop, in the auto body business, and as a service manager for auto dealerships in Klamath Falls. He retired in 1976. Don married Jean Crable in 1951. Their marriage of 59 years produced a son and two daughters. When his son was younger, Don was involved with baseball. He was an avid bowler until age 96 when he had a 153 average. He bowled with a Wii and bowled 299 and 300 games at the age of 97. He enjoyed watching boxing, baseball and football. He loved hunting and fishing. He was one of the founding members of Unlimited Pheasants. Don is survived by his wife, Jean, of 59 years; his children, Vance, Marcia and Gayle and their families, including six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Klamath Hospice.
The services held for my Grandpa were great. We shared memories, and heard about his amazing life. We sang a tribute of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" to symbolize his love for baseball, and after the memorial we enjoyed some Cracker Jacks. I got to see a lot of my family that I have not seen in years, and it was good to catch up. My brother also came, and he and I enjoyed a nice visit. He left today, I am sad and wish I could see him more often. I post a new picture tomorrow, and have updates on other things in my life. I just wanted to post one more tribute to my Grandpa, because he is amazing, and I love he and miss him sooooo much.
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