Frank George Thomas, of Rapid City, passed away the evening of Aug. 29, 2018, at the Ft. Meade Health Care Center in Sturgis. He was 91.
Frank was born Feb. 9, 1927, in Rapid City to Paul Thomas and Elizabeth (Kramer) Thomas. He attended the Old Red Brick School House and graduated from Rapid City High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as an airplane engine mechanic in 1944-46.
Returning home from the service, Frank worked at his father’s Packard dealership in Rapid City. In 1957, he opened his own business—Thomas Auto Service—which he operated until 2016.
Frank’s 60 years in business resulted in many life-long friendships in the area. In his later years in business, it was those relationships that he enjoyed more than the work. Many are the stories he has shared about his dear friends and customers from Thomas Auto.
Frank also operated the mechanical lure at the Black Hills Greyhound Track from 1951 until the track closed in the late 1980s.
Frank was beloved by many through his lifetime of service in a number of key positions in the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His faith in his savior, Jesus Christ, is the core of the man who is dearly loved by so many. Often his conversations would shift to the spiritual and to the scriptures that he cherished and knew so well. At his mother’s knee, he learned about the life he would live and the man he would become.
On Nov. 24, 1949, he married “his sweetheart”, Shirley Jean Palmer. Although they were told they’d never be able to have children, Frank and Shirley were blessed with three daughters and a son.
After the losses sustained in the 1972 flood, Frank, at age 45—with determination and inherent fortitude—was able to start over and joyfully rebuilt his family home and business.
Frank enjoyed an active life. His hobbies and pursuits included fishing, hunting, traveling, golf, boating and visiting family members. Nothing was more important to Frank than family.
He was predeceased by wife Shirley (1997), and two brothers: Leland and Harold, and brother-in-law Charles Bloom. He is survived by a sister: his 4children; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
To honor Frank’s memory (In lieu of flowers or contributions) please consider a deliberate activity that you enjoyed doing with him—perhaps having a frosty, taking a ride in the hills, an oil change or just go fishin’.
Contributor: RAH
———
Frank was born Feb. 9, 1927, in Rapid City to Paul Thomas and Elizabeth (Kramer) Thomas. He attended the Old Red Brick School House and graduated from Rapid City High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as an airplane engine mechanic in 1944-46.
Returning home from the service, Frank worked at his father’s Packard dealership in Rapid City. In 1957, he opened his own business—Thomas Auto Service—which he operated until 2016.
Frank’s 60 years in business resulted in many life-long friendships in the area. In his later years in business, it was those relationships that he enjoyed more than the work. Many are the stories he has shared about his dear friends and customers from Thomas Auto.
Frank also operated the mechanical lure at the Black Hills Greyhound Track from 1951 until the track closed in the late 1980s.
Frank was beloved by many through his lifetime of service in a number of key positions in the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His faith in his savior, Jesus Christ, is the core of the man who is dearly loved by so many. Often his conversations would shift to the spiritual and to the scriptures that he cherished and knew so well. At his mother’s knee, he learned about the life he would live and the man he would become.
On Nov. 24, 1949, he married “his sweetheart”, Shirley Jean Palmer. Although they were told they’d never be able to have children, Frank and Shirley were blessed with three daughters and a son.
After the losses sustained in the 1972 flood, Frank, at age 45—with determination and inherent fortitude—was able to start over and joyfully rebuilt his family home and business.
Frank enjoyed an active life. His hobbies and pursuits included fishing, hunting, traveling, golf, boating and visiting family members. Nothing was more important to Frank than family.
He was predeceased by wife Shirley (1997), and two brothers: Leland and Harold, and brother-in-law Charles Bloom. He is survived by a sister: his 4children; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
To honor Frank’s memory (In lieu of flowers or contributions) please consider a deliberate activity that you enjoyed doing with him—perhaps having a frosty, taking a ride in the hills, an oil change or just go fishin’.
Contributor: RAH
———
Frank George Thomas, of Rapid City, passed away the evening of Aug. 29, 2018, at the Ft. Meade Health Care Center in Sturgis. He was 91.
Frank was born Feb. 9, 1927, in Rapid City to Paul Thomas and Elizabeth (Kramer) Thomas. He attended the Old Red Brick School House and graduated from Rapid City High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as an airplane engine mechanic in 1944-46.
Returning home from the service, Frank worked at his father’s Packard dealership in Rapid City. In 1957, he opened his own business—Thomas Auto Service—which he operated until 2016.
Frank’s 60 years in business resulted in many life-long friendships in the area. In his later years in business, it was those relationships that he enjoyed more than the work. Many are the stories he has shared about his dear friends and customers from Thomas Auto.
Frank also operated the mechanical lure at the Black Hills Greyhound Track from 1951 until the track closed in the late 1980s.
Frank was beloved by many through his lifetime of service in a number of key positions in the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His faith in his savior, Jesus Christ, is the core of the man who is dearly loved by so many. Often his conversations would shift to the spiritual and to the scriptures that he cherished and knew so well. At his mother’s knee, he learned about the life he would live and the man he would become.
On Nov. 24, 1949, he married “his sweetheart”, Shirley Jean Palmer. Although they were told they’d never be able to have children, Frank and Shirley were blessed with three daughters and a son.
After the losses sustained in the 1972 flood, Frank, at age 45—with determination and inherent fortitude—was able to start over and joyfully rebuilt his family home and business.
Frank enjoyed an active life. His hobbies and pursuits included fishing, hunting, traveling, golf, boating and visiting family members. Nothing was more important to Frank than family.
He was predeceased by wife Shirley (1997), and two brothers: Leland and Harold, and brother-in-law Charles Bloom. He is survived by a sister: his 4children; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
To honor Frank’s memory (In lieu of flowers or contributions) please consider a deliberate activity that you enjoyed doing with him—perhaps having a frosty, taking a ride in the hills, an oil change or just go fishin’.
Contributor: RAH
———
Frank was born Feb. 9, 1927, in Rapid City to Paul Thomas and Elizabeth (Kramer) Thomas. He attended the Old Red Brick School House and graduated from Rapid City High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as an airplane engine mechanic in 1944-46.
Returning home from the service, Frank worked at his father’s Packard dealership in Rapid City. In 1957, he opened his own business—Thomas Auto Service—which he operated until 2016.
Frank’s 60 years in business resulted in many life-long friendships in the area. In his later years in business, it was those relationships that he enjoyed more than the work. Many are the stories he has shared about his dear friends and customers from Thomas Auto.
Frank also operated the mechanical lure at the Black Hills Greyhound Track from 1951 until the track closed in the late 1980s.
Frank was beloved by many through his lifetime of service in a number of key positions in the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His faith in his savior, Jesus Christ, is the core of the man who is dearly loved by so many. Often his conversations would shift to the spiritual and to the scriptures that he cherished and knew so well. At his mother’s knee, he learned about the life he would live and the man he would become.
On Nov. 24, 1949, he married “his sweetheart”, Shirley Jean Palmer. Although they were told they’d never be able to have children, Frank and Shirley were blessed with three daughters and a son.
After the losses sustained in the 1972 flood, Frank, at age 45—with determination and inherent fortitude—was able to start over and joyfully rebuilt his family home and business.
Frank enjoyed an active life. His hobbies and pursuits included fishing, hunting, traveling, golf, boating and visiting family members. Nothing was more important to Frank than family.
He was predeceased by wife Shirley (1997), and two brothers: Leland and Harold, and brother-in-law Charles Bloom. He is survived by a sister: his 4children; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
To honor Frank’s memory (In lieu of flowers or contributions) please consider a deliberate activity that you enjoyed doing with him—perhaps having a frosty, taking a ride in the hills, an oil change or just go fishin’.
Contributor: RAH
———
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