Ralph Wayne (Tommy) Thomas |
| Posted 2009-09-08 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ November 1, 2006, p.A18 “Tommy” was born Ralph Wayne Thomas on a farm in Downey, Idaho, the ninth child of Martin and Texie Thomas on February 25, 1922. He passed away on Oct. 24, 2006. His early years were spent on the farm working with teams of horses; his family didn't have a tractor until many years later. The physical work of his childhood molded him into a strong man, although in his stocking feet he was at best 5 feet 6 inches tall. A golden-glove boxer and basketball player in high school, Ralph left for Brigham Young University to pursue a Music degree. He had a fine voice and loved to play the trumpet. World War II interrupted his studies, and he enlisted in the United States Marines as a fighter pilot. He earned his wings in 1943 and was sent to the Pacific Theater where he was based off an aircraft carrier squadron. He saw action many times including the battle for Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. After the war Tommy returned to the farm in Downey and found that the lifestyle was a bit too mundane, so he packed up and went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in Sun Valley, Idaho. The resort had been closed for most of the war and had been used as a Naval hospital. Now Sun Valley was up and running again, and Tommy thought that was the life for him - glamorous movie stars and good skiing - what could be better? In truth it was more work than fun, and Tommy did just about every job in the resort at one time or another, including bellman, cashier, painter, waiter, houseman, and chief cook and bottle washer. After 22 years and as the Director of Hotels, he left Sun Valley Company to help develop the Bigwood resort and build the Bigwood golf course and condos. While Tommy was working as a waiter in the Ram Bar in Sun Valley, he met a cute waitress, and within a short time he asked Dottie Blore to marry him. They were married in Omaha, Neb., where Dottie grew up. After the wedding they returned to Sun Valley and purchased a one-acre lot on Knob Hill from Paulita deSutter for the exorbitant sum of $500. Dad always thought he paid too much. Within a few years Dottie gave birth to a son Robb and a daughter Tamara. Tommy's loving wife and soul mate of 53 years preceded him in death in 2001. His son Robb (Carol)of Sun Valley, Idaho, his daughter Tamara of Wickenburg, Ariz., and his grandchildren Jesse Thomas, Jared Thomas, and Abigail Joy Garcia (his favorite granddaughter) all survive Tommy. During his years in Sun Valley, Ralph was given the moniker “Tommy Thomas” and it stuck. All of his friends from then on knew him as Tommy. A kinder, gentler man we never knew. Long on patience and short on anger Tommy made many friends wherever he went. “We are going to miss you Papa.” Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless falls of air... Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, nor e'er eagle flew- And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high, untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. A celebration for Tommy's life was held at Happy Trails Resort in Surprise, Ariz., where Tommy and Dottie retired in 1989. According to his wishes he was cremated and will be interred in the Ketchum Cemetery next to his wife Dottie in June 2007. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656. |
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