Leonard Ray Thomas
Many Here for Funeral of Leonard Thomas at Methodist Church Oct. 1
Funeral services for Leonard Ray Thomas who was killed in an auto crash the night of September 27 at Holly, Colo., were held from the United Memorial Methodist Church at Harrison on October 1, and burial was in the Harrison Cemetery.
The Rev. J. Lee Gorman, pastor of the church, officiated. Mrs. Robert Todd was organist and accompanied a group composed of Teresa Lewis, Linda Todd, Sue Coffee, Roxanne Engebretsen, Donna Powell, Mary Schaefer and Mrs. Carol Mumby singing "Be Still My Soul," and "Come By Here." Pallbearers were Everett Van Campen of Two Buttes, Colo., Philip Henry, Bruce Wickersham, Joe Schaefer, Dale Walker, and James McKnight.
Leonard was born at Eldon, Iowa, February 27, 1949, the son of Stanley E. and Gertrude M. (Perry) Thomas Sr. He attended rural school at Bloomfield, Iowa, for six years and for two years at Granada, Colo., besides his four years at Sioux County High School at Harrison where he graduated last May. He was active in athletics, especially track and wrestling.
He had spent the past summer working on a ranch south of Granada, Colo. On September 18 he had taken and passed the physical and written examinations for induction into the Armed Services and on September 19 had enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was waiting to be called to active duty.
Surviving besides his parents are two sisters, Rowena and Nancy, and a brother Raymond at home; a sister, Betty of Norfolk, Nebr.; and a brother, Stanley Jr., of Phoenix, Ariz., and his only grandparent, Carl Thomas of Eldon, Iowa. A number of aunts and uncles were here for the services.
Those who knew Leonard well described him as a searcher, never quite completely satisfied with life as he saw it. He had hopes of it being different ahead and was willing to explore the unknown for that which satisfies.
Among the out-of-town relatives and friends here for the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Thomas, Keosqua, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Thomas Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. Rex Everly of Bloomfield, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thomas of Agency, Iowa; Carl Thomas and Miss Alice Thomas of Eldon, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Ausman Perry of Midwest City, Okla.; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Perry, Ottumwa, Iowa; Mrs. Dorothy Blue, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schnabel, Everett Van Campen, Miss Lana Ouattlebaum, and Miss Kay Schivelhert, all of Two Buttes, Colo.; Gary Baker, Miss Pat Sapp, Miss May Lou Leatherman, Wesley Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Smith, Miss Betty Thomas and Miss Mary Wilson all of Norfolk, Nebr.; Miss Luella Wilson of Halsey, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Thomas Jr. and daughter of Phoenix, Ariz.; Miss Lynn Smith of Laramie, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Gene Bartow, Miss Trenda Tollman, Wayne Sides, Stanley Rennard, Mrs. Harry Sides, Darrell Christiansen all of Lusk, Wyo.; Chuck Holmgren, Crawford; Miss Jan Cashler and her sister of Harrisburg, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Miller and David of Holly, Colo.
Harrison Sun-News
October 3, 1968
Leonard Thomas Killed in Crash At Holly, Colo.
Leonard Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Thomas Sr. and graduate of Sioux County High School last May, was killed Friday night in an auto collision at Holly, Colo. Funeral services were being held from Memorial Methodist Church at Harrison Tuesday afternoon.
Limited details of the accident had been received at The Sun presstime. It was understood he was riding in a car with two other young people and that he was killed instantly. Several others were badly injured.
The chief of police of Holly called Duane Pullen, Harrison chief, at 1:50 Saturday morning. The accident had occurred at midnight. Mr. Pullen and Rev. Lee Gorman went to the Thomas home to inform the parents.