Floyd "Tom" Ray Thomas died at his home in Yerington on June 18, 2009. He was 82.
Born in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, 1927, to Davis and Eva Thomas, Mr. Thomas served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He married Roberta on Feb. 24, 1952, in Ventura, Calif. where they raised their children.
In 1975, the couple moved to Fallon, where they resided for nine years. They lived in Smith Valley for 20 years eventually settling in Yerington.
A private pilot for over 40 years, Mr. Thomas loved to fly. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and his Tri Pacer 160 served as regular transportation for his grandchildren to and from his home in Smith Valley.
He spent his retirement years building custom homes and immersing himself in the projects of his family and friends. He was always the first to offer a hand, even to a stranger, and never expected anything in return. He simply took on the projects of others as his own.
When his health slowed his pace, he could be found in his workshop in Yerington, framing a duplex in Texas, or offering his advice to the crew on a neighborhood construction site.
Mr. Thomas is survived by wife Roberta of Yerington; children, David Thomas of Santa Barbara, Calif., Linda (Rich) Totten of Cary, N.C., Thelma (Ken) Derwin of Fredericksburg, Texas and Janice Clark of Ventura, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Lisa (David) Castranio of Cary, N.C., Sandy Townend of Raleigh, N.C, Tracie (Fred) Ormonde of Solvang, Calif., Jennifer (David) Canty of Los Angeles, Haley (Dan) Onder of Parker, Colo., Meagan (Ralph) Guida of Anaheim Hills, Calif., and Joshua Clark of Newport Beach, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Brittany Smith of Cary, N.C. and Jonah Onder of Parker, Colo.
A private family service was held with his cremains to be buried at the Valley View Cemetery. A celebration of life service to honor Mr. Thomas will be scheduled for a future date.
Family and Friends may sign the online guest book at www.FRFH.net
Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, Yerington.
Donations may be made to either a local animal shelter or a charity of one's choice in Mr. Thomas' name.
