THOMAS, John Patrick

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - John Patrick Thomas, 63, passed away May 21, 2012 in Lake Havasu City. He was born on May 31, 1948, in Pasadena, Calif., to Clyde and Patricia Thomas. John married his wife, Susan, in Las Vegas, Nev., and together they moved to Lake Havasu City from Norco, Calif., two years ago. John served his country proudly in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. He enjoyed spending his time traveling with his wife and being in the outdoors. He was a member of the ELKS Club, VFW, American Legion and the American Coach Association. John and his wife, Susan, will eternally be together. He will be deeply missed and always loved. John is survived by his mother, Patricia; brothers, James, Jerry and Joseph; stepchildren, Jim, Todd and Tracy; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Catherine; and granddaughter, Ashley. His wife, Susan, passed away with him. Interment and funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Riverside, Calif. Contributions can be made in John’s name to the ELKS Lodge of your choice. Thoughts and condolences can be sent directly to John’s family or through www.lakehavasumortuary.com. Arrangements are under the care of Lake Havasu Mortuary and Crematory. ________________________________________________ Motorhome fire victims identified as LHC residents By JAYNE HANSON Today's News-Herald Published Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Arizona Department of Public Safety officials identified the three individuals killed in a motorhome fire Monday as 63-year-old John P. Thomas, 63-year-old Susan L. Thomas, and 73-year-old Joyce Lowry, all of Lake Havasu City. On Monday, John Thomas was driving northbound in a 2006 motorhome towing a 2003 Jeep when the vehicle’s front right tire blew out and, for unknown reasons, the vehicle caught fire. Susan Thomas and Lowry were passengers in the motorhome, according to Arizona DPS. Lowry’s granddaughter, Michelle Vespe, of the Phoenix area, told Today’s News-Herald Tuesday her grandmother lives in Havasu Heights and was only a mile from her home at the time of the incident. Vespe also said the trio was traveling to visit Lowry’s husband, who is Vespe’s grandfather, because he is ill and in a Las Vegas hospital. The Thomas’ dog, Sadie, was with them, too. An account has been established for the families of the victims at Horizon Community Bank, at 225 North Lake Havasu Ave., in Havasu. The account is organized through Make-A-Way Charities Arizona via Havasu-based church Covenant Church. The church is pastored by Joe and Rhonda Merrill, who were on scene attempting to help the victims escape the burning motorhome Monday. You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.