W. Jerome Thomas, “Jerry,” died June 7, 2017 in Sacramento, CA, his home of 45 years. He leaves two children, two grandchildren, whom he adored. He was predeceased by his son Steven Thomas and wife Jacqueline. He also leaves behind beloved neighbors that were like family to him, as well as many friends.
Jerry was born to Clarence “Tommy” and Nellie Thomas March, 1927 in Miller, SD.
He grew up on the plains of South Dakota during the Great Depression and was a member of the “Greatest Generation.” Following graduation from Madison High School, he received an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy and was graduated with the Class of 1949 earning a BS degree and being commissioned ensign in the regular Navy.
Jerry served 5 years in the Navy, including two deployments aboard BOXER in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War. In March 1953, he married his wife Jacqueline and they shared 60 years before her passing in 2013. He resigned his commission June 1, 1954 and settled in the Bay Area working and raising his young family. At night he attended law school at University of San Francisco graduating in 1959.
After 2 years of private law practice, Jerry went to work as a lawyer and administrator for the Department of Real Estate for the State of California. He served as Acting Commissioner during the administration of George Deukmejian and his last 14 years as Chief Counsel for DRE. He retired in 1985.
During retirement, Jerry served as a volunteer – or “gofer” as he liked to be called it – at Kaiser Hospital. He became a California Master Gardener enjoying great pleasure with his 70 rose bushes which provided a constant stream of rosebuds for neighbors and friends. Jerry was everything that you would expect when you think of the Greatest Generation. His Commitment to hard work was legendary, his integrity was unimpeachable and his love of his family, friends and neighbors was unmatched. He was our rock and we will miss him greatly.
A special thanks to the exceptional and loving staff of Sunrise of Carmichael who doted on Jerry for the last year of his life. They loved him and he loved them.
Jerry was a self-proclaimed “simple man” and asked for no services or flowers. Instead a donation to Sacramento loaves and Fishes in memory of Steven Thomas would be lovely.
Source: Sacramento Bee 2 July 2017
Jerry was born to Clarence “Tommy” and Nellie Thomas March, 1927 in Miller, SD.
He grew up on the plains of South Dakota during the Great Depression and was a member of the “Greatest Generation.” Following graduation from Madison High School, he received an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy and was graduated with the Class of 1949 earning a BS degree and being commissioned ensign in the regular Navy.
Jerry served 5 years in the Navy, including two deployments aboard BOXER in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War. In March 1953, he married his wife Jacqueline and they shared 60 years before her passing in 2013. He resigned his commission June 1, 1954 and settled in the Bay Area working and raising his young family. At night he attended law school at University of San Francisco graduating in 1959.
After 2 years of private law practice, Jerry went to work as a lawyer and administrator for the Department of Real Estate for the State of California. He served as Acting Commissioner during the administration of George Deukmejian and his last 14 years as Chief Counsel for DRE. He retired in 1985.
During retirement, Jerry served as a volunteer – or “gofer” as he liked to be called it – at Kaiser Hospital. He became a California Master Gardener enjoying great pleasure with his 70 rose bushes which provided a constant stream of rosebuds for neighbors and friends. Jerry was everything that you would expect when you think of the Greatest Generation. His Commitment to hard work was legendary, his integrity was unimpeachable and his love of his family, friends and neighbors was unmatched. He was our rock and we will miss him greatly.
A special thanks to the exceptional and loving staff of Sunrise of Carmichael who doted on Jerry for the last year of his life. They loved him and he loved them.
Jerry was a self-proclaimed “simple man” and asked for no services or flowers. Instead a donation to Sacramento loaves and Fishes in memory of Steven Thomas would be lovely.
Source: Sacramento Bee 2 July 2017
W. Jerome Thomas, “Jerry,” died June 7, 2017 in Sacramento, CA, his home of 45 years. He leaves two children, two grandchildren, whom he adored. He was predeceased by his son Steven Thomas and wife Jacqueline. He also leaves behind beloved neighbors that were like family to him, as well as many friends.
Jerry was born to Clarence “Tommy” and Nellie Thomas March, 1927 in Miller, SD.
He grew up on the plains of South Dakota during the Great Depression and was a member of the “Greatest Generation.” Following graduation from Madison High School, he received an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy and was graduated with the Class of 1949 earning a BS degree and being commissioned ensign in the regular Navy.
Jerry served 5 years in the Navy, including two deployments aboard BOXER in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War. In March 1953, he married his wife Jacqueline and they shared 60 years before her passing in 2013. He resigned his commission June 1, 1954 and settled in the Bay Area working and raising his young family. At night he attended law school at University of San Francisco graduating in 1959.
After 2 years of private law practice, Jerry went to work as a lawyer and administrator for the Department of Real Estate for the State of California. He served as Acting Commissioner during the administration of George Deukmejian and his last 14 years as Chief Counsel for DRE. He retired in 1985.
During retirement, Jerry served as a volunteer – or “gofer” as he liked to be called it – at Kaiser Hospital. He became a California Master Gardener enjoying great pleasure with his 70 rose bushes which provided a constant stream of rosebuds for neighbors and friends. Jerry was everything that you would expect when you think of the Greatest Generation. His Commitment to hard work was legendary, his integrity was unimpeachable and his love of his family, friends and neighbors was unmatched. He was our rock and we will miss him greatly.
A special thanks to the exceptional and loving staff of Sunrise of Carmichael who doted on Jerry for the last year of his life. They loved him and he loved them.
Jerry was a self-proclaimed “simple man” and asked for no services or flowers. Instead a donation to Sacramento loaves and Fishes in memory of Steven Thomas would be lovely.
Source: Sacramento Bee 2 July 2017
Jerry was born to Clarence “Tommy” and Nellie Thomas March, 1927 in Miller, SD.
He grew up on the plains of South Dakota during the Great Depression and was a member of the “Greatest Generation.” Following graduation from Madison High School, he received an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy and was graduated with the Class of 1949 earning a BS degree and being commissioned ensign in the regular Navy.
Jerry served 5 years in the Navy, including two deployments aboard BOXER in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War. In March 1953, he married his wife Jacqueline and they shared 60 years before her passing in 2013. He resigned his commission June 1, 1954 and settled in the Bay Area working and raising his young family. At night he attended law school at University of San Francisco graduating in 1959.
After 2 years of private law practice, Jerry went to work as a lawyer and administrator for the Department of Real Estate for the State of California. He served as Acting Commissioner during the administration of George Deukmejian and his last 14 years as Chief Counsel for DRE. He retired in 1985.
During retirement, Jerry served as a volunteer – or “gofer” as he liked to be called it – at Kaiser Hospital. He became a California Master Gardener enjoying great pleasure with his 70 rose bushes which provided a constant stream of rosebuds for neighbors and friends. Jerry was everything that you would expect when you think of the Greatest Generation. His Commitment to hard work was legendary, his integrity was unimpeachable and his love of his family, friends and neighbors was unmatched. He was our rock and we will miss him greatly.
A special thanks to the exceptional and loving staff of Sunrise of Carmichael who doted on Jerry for the last year of his life. They loved him and he loved them.
Jerry was a self-proclaimed “simple man” and asked for no services or flowers. Instead a donation to Sacramento loaves and Fishes in memory of Steven Thomas would be lovely.
Source: Sacramento Bee 2 July 2017
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