Dale Leroy Thomas
April 23, 1936 — January 15, 2013
Dale LeRoy Thomas
Dale LeRoy Thomas of Eureka, KS died on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka at the age of 76.
Dale was born on April 23, 1936, the son of Harold and Jewell (Gaston) Thomas. He was raised on a farm in Lyon County before joining the US Air Force in 1954. He served his country in Vietnam and was stationed in Italy, Germany, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippine Islands and Guam. As an Air Force Linguist he spoke German, Mandarin Chinese, Farsi and Russian. He retired with honors as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1979, receiving many military decorations, including 2 Meritorious Service Medals.
On January 16, he married Connie Lyon in Agaña, Guam. They made their home in New Mexico and Speed, KS before settling in Eureka in 1994. Dale was a member of the VFW, the NRA, and the Air Force Honor Guard. He loved all animals, and looked forward to his birthday every year with the return of several dozen hummingbirds to his back yard. He loved NASCAR, reading, fishing, saltwater snorkeling, cooking, and single malt scotch.
He is survived by his wife Connie of the home, three daughters: Debbie Thomas of LaVerne CA, Stephanie Thomas of Baldwin City, KS, and Jewell Elliott of Odessa, TX; 5 stepchildren, 6 grandchildren, 3 horses and 3 dogs. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca Henderson of San Angelo, TX, and his first wife, Sarah (Price) Thomas of Emporia, KS in 1963.
A military honors service and a private family memorial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045.
Dale LeRoy Thomas of Eureka, KS died on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka at the age of 76.
Dale was born on April 23, 1936, the son of Harold and Jewell (Gaston) Thomas. He was raised on a farm in Lyon County before joining the US Air Force in 1954. He served his country in Vietnam and was stationed in Italy, Germany, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippine Islands and Guam. As an Air Force Linguist he spoke German, Mandarin Chinese, Farsi and Russian. He retired with honors as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1979, receiving many military decorations, including 2 Meritorious Service Medals.
On January 16, he married Connie Lyon in Agaña, Guam. They made their home in New Mexico and Speed, KS before settling in Eureka in 1994. Dale was a member of the VFW, the NRA, and the Air Force Honor Guard. He loved all animals, and looked forward to his birthday every year with the return of several dozen hummingbirds to his back yard. He loved NASCAR, reading, fishing, saltwater snorkeling, cooking, and single malt scotch.
He is survived by his wife Connie of the home, three daughters: Debbie Thomas of LaVerne CA, Stephanie Thomas of Baldwin City, KS, and Jewell Elliott of Odessa, TX; 5 stepchildren, 6 grandchildren, 3 horses and 3 dogs. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca Henderson of San Angelo, TX, and his first wife, Sarah (Price) Thomas of Emporia, KS in 1963.
A military honors service and a private family memorial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka, KS 67045.
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