Jack Thomas
Jack Thomas
Jack Thomas
September 30, 1931 – March 10, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 84
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
Jack Thomas, 84, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, March 10, 2016, at the Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Center in Oskaloosa. Jack was born in Davenport on September 30, 1931. As an infant he was adopted by Russell and Ann Ridley Thomas.
Jack graduated from What Cheer High School with the class of 1949. Following high school graduation, he worked for Coca-Cola and as a sign painter.
On July 2, 1951, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Kelderman at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. To this union two sons were born, Stanley and Rusty. Mary Ann died May 10, 1988.
In 1951, he entered the United States Army and served during the Korean War. Following his time in the Army, Jack returned to Iowa and went back to work painting signs. In 1957, he took over the operation of Thomas Foods and Grocery in What Cheer. He sold the grocery store in 1971. He then opened the What Cheer Motel and Thomas Advertising. In 1978, he went to work for the State of Iowa as a food inspector. He retired from the State of Iowa in the early 1990’s.
On July 14, 1989, he was united in marriage to Betty Jane Bowns at Las Vegas, Nevada. Betty died February 17, 2015.
Throughout his life Jack had an entrepreneurial spirit, he was a talented carpenter and handyman. In retirement he owned and operated B.J.’s collectables in Oskaloosa.
He was a member of the American Legion and the Eagles. While a businessman in What Cheer he had served on the City Council and as Mayor of What Cheer. Later in life Jack did the research and found his biological family. He enjoyed fostering relationships with his biological mother and siblings.
His family includes his two sons and their wives: Stanley (& Connie) Thomas of Newton and Rusty (& Chris) Thomas of Jefferson City, Missouri; four grandchildren: Greg Thomas, Jerry Thomas, Whitney Distler, and Mallory Taulbe; six step children, Theresa (& Don) Holsomback of Kansas City, Missouri, Debra (& Everardo) Zavalas of Elm Mott, Texas, Rhonda Boggan of Wheeling, Illinois, Donna (& Tom) Mateer of Oskaloosa, James (& Jo) Dyke of Beaufort, South Carolina, and Christopher Dyke of Oskaloosa; eleven step grandchildren; many step great grandchildren; and many brother and sisters.
In addition to his two wives, Jack was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sisters.
Graveside funeral service and burial will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at 11 a.m. in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Graveside military honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W.
A procession will form on Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel for those wishing to attend the graveside service.
Visitation with the family will be at the funeral chapel on Tuesday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 when the procession will leave for the service.
Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Honor Guard.
