Gerald E. Thomas

Graveside services for Gerald Ernest Thomas of Topeka will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6, at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka. He was 93. Mr. Thomas was the eldest son of a Dover area farming family, a long-time union rubber worker, spouse of 64 years, and father of three daughters. Early in life Mr. Thomas learned the satisfactions of work and family alongside his father and mother, Ernest Richard Thomas and Lillian Moran Thomas, and his six siblings. He attended a one-room schoolhouse where most classmates were brothers, sisters or cousins. Pictures from his early life show his round face with dark hair and dramatic widow’s peak in the front hairline. Following his Dover High School years, Mr. Thomas worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Topeka. Except for a four-year stint in the US Air Force ending with the rank of staff sergeant, he worked at Goodyear for 44 years. A good number of those years he loaded and operated Banbury machines for melting and mixing rubber. In a sometimes rough-and-tumble factory with many larger men, Mr. Thomas said he “almost always held his own.” He was married to Loretta Mary Draut on May 23,1953, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka. The marriage followed a courtship sparked by a blind date in downtown Topeka. Together the Thomases created stability and opportunities for their children and grandchildren. After Mrs. Thomas died in 2017, Mr. Thomas said he missed having supper and watching television sports with her. Mr. Thomas was proud of independent daughters Kathryn, Deborah and Jennifer. He said he loved being a girl dad. He also treasured his six grandchildren and their families, and one great grandchild. Mr. Thomas enjoyed reading and understanding current events. He took pride in cultivating lawns, vegetables and flowers. His word was his bond, and he believed in fairness and balance in all things. In his retirement he relished eating breakfast out. Even into his early 90s Mr. Thomas remained committed to maintaining himself and his property. He exercised, cleaned house, grocery shopped, and managed his affairs. After a brief illness, Mr. Thomas died on April 6, 2024, at The House at Midland Care. Mr. Thomas’ ashes will be interred next to his wife. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka KS 66606. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Gerald E. Thomas

October 9, 1930 - April 6, 2024