Dan Thomas moved on November 17, 2018. He left a forwarding address; Heaven. He's free from the pain and limits of this fallen world and enjoying the blessings of his new home.
In my father's house there are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also. John 14:2-3
Dan Thomas was born on August 1, 1948 in Nyssa Oregon to Perry Thomas and Edith Laird Thomas. He grew up in Idaho with his sister Diane and his brother Jeff.
Dan moved to the Kansas City area where he attended Kansas City College and Bible School which is where he met his devoted wife Carolyn. They were married on December 22, 1967. That's just shy of 51 years of marriage for those of you not great at mathematics!
Dan and Carolyn have two children Danny and his wife Jill and Shannon McCord and her husband Tim. From these two children they have nine grandchildren: Danny, Bella, Maddie, Lilly, Nicholas, Jackson, Cooper, Maxim, and Lincoln- a pretty good return on their investment!
Dan loved his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed hearing about their plans, adventures and antics (oh so many antics!) They sure loved their Papa too. One time, a young Danny McCord asked his mom Shannon if he could get his hair cut like Papa's. Trying to imagine a 3 year old with a bald spot down the middle of his head gave everyone a chuckle. Little Danny didn't understand what was so funny about his sincere request! One time the young Danny Thomas family was at Burger King play land eating, playing and visiting with Papa and Mema. Papa was enjoying some cinnaminis- he loved sweets. The last cinnamini was on his fork with the bite approaching his mouth when his 3yr old grandson Max swooped in snatched it off the fork and devoured it before Papa even knew what happened. Oh course, we all laughed at his surprised face.The moral of these two stories are that 3 yr olds are unpredictable. A fact Dan not only enjoyed, but encouraged. He was just a big kid himself. His daughter, Shannon, lovingly called him "a giant toddler."
Dan loved to collect all kinds of hats, but he wore many different hats as well- those of husband, father, grandfather, friend, patriarch, mentor but maybe some hats you didn't know about:
Staff Sergent, Dan Thomas served in the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic from 1969 to 1973.
He was a journeyman sheet metal worker and a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local #2 for over 20 years.
Because he suffered through two different kinds of cancer, multiple chemotherapy sessions, a bone marrow transplant, and radiation treatments, he was unable to work. His body was weak and he was in pain every day. But, he needed a reason to get out of bed. That blessing came from our niece and nephew Gary and Tricia Conley, owners of Conley Construction, Inc. It was a perfect match for both. He loved doing what he could to help out and they loved having him around.
What most people will probably remember about Dan though was his willingness to help people. His family, friends, church family, anyone could call him and he'd figure out a way to help you. He might give you a hard time and start it off with "I cant, my leg hurts"- one of his signature sayings, but you knew he'd be there. Wonder how he'll pull that "my leg hurts" routine off in Heaven...?
Another of Dan's very favorite things was
Disney World and spending time there with family having "A Magical Day".
Finally, those of you that know Dan, know that he loved to fish. We like to imagine he's in Heaven fishing with the disciples or having a fish fry with some of his ol' buddies around a campfire. Jesus said to them "follow me and I will make you fishers of men" Matt 4:19
Dan was preceded in death by his parents and six tiny precious babies born straight to Jesus's arms from their mother's wombs.
On November 17, 2018 surrounded by family, Dan closed his eyes, took his final peaceful breath on this earth and as his youngest grandson Lincoln said "Papa opened his eyes in Heaven!"
He not only left behind his wife, children, grandchildren, sister, and brother, but brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and an enormous number of friends. All will miss him dearly.
The Lord made a way for us all to get to where Dan lives now-Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me." John 14:6
Friday, November 30, 2018
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Johnson County Funeral Chapel
Saturday, December 1, 2018
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Impact Fellowship Church
Saturday, December 1, 2018
12:30 - 12:45 pm (Central time)
Johnson County Memorial Gardens
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