Jerry Lee Thomas Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Jerry Thomas, 71, of Beacon passed away, Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at his home in Beacon. Jerry Lee Thomas, son of Harold and Effie (Hols) Thomas, was born September 3, 1945, in Beacon, Iowa. He attended Beacon School where he graduated from the 8th grade. One of his first jobs was in a coal mine in Marion County by Knoxville. He worked there until 1971, when he was employed as a secondary plant operator by Kaser Corporation, later known as Martin Marietta-Durham Mine at Harvey, Iowa. He worked there for 32 years, retiring in 2003. Jerry married Diane D. Minard, July 1, 2001, in Oskaloosa after a 2 ½ year courtship. He attended the First Assembly of God Church in Oskaloosa for the last 20 years. Jerry’s favorite pastime was operating his CB, his handle was GATOR, and had many friends he enjoyed visiting with over the airways. He also enjoyed rabbit and squirrel hunting and hunting for mushrooms in the spring. He raised rabbits, chickens and a variety of other animals and enjoyed gardening up until the last few years of his life. He walked his dog, Herky, twice a day for the past 12 years. His hobby was making bullets and reloading shells and then testing them with his nephew, Richard Thomas. He and Richard also enjoyed going to gun shows together. He loved family visits, especially when the little tikes came. He was a good father, husband, and grandfather and he will be greatly missed. Jerry’s family included his wife of 15 years, Diane of Beacon; his children and step-children: Roger Thomas of Beacon, James (Cassie) Thomas of Beacon, Shannon Kridelbaugh of Pella, Echo Kridelbaugh (Bryan McCloud) of Pella, Shane Kridelbaugh (Shari Turk) of Pella, Mary Alice (Ted) Green of Jackson, NE, Ricky Kridelbaugh of Muscatine and Treva (Dave) Sizemore of Las Vegas, NV; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and expecting two more; 16 step-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren and expecting one more. He is also survived by his siblings: Mary Lou Evans of Beacon and her friend, Ronnie Morrow of Oskaloosa, Sadie (Kenny) Kennedy of Oskaloosa, Tom Thomas of Ottumwa and Dave (Marilyn) Thomas of Oskaloosa. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Jerry Dean Thomas; two sisters: Maxine Brown and Joann Miller; and two brothers: Richard “Dick” and Frank Thomas. Funeral Services for Jerry will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the First Assembly of God Church in Oskaloosa with Rev. Mike Dotson officiating. Burial will be in Beacon Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Friday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to the family.

Jerry Lee Thomas

September 3, 1945 - April 4, 2017

Obituary & Service

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Jerry Lee Thomas

September 3, 1945 - April 4, 2017

Obituary & Service

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