Tommy Thomas

Tommy (Tom) Thomas, 82, of Little Cedar, Iowa, passed away following an illness in Yuma, Arizona, on December 27, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, January 4, 2018 at New Life Church in Kearney. Pastor Roger Wendt will be officiating. Interment will be at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5pm-7pm on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the O’Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney, Nebraska. There will be an additional memorial service held later in January at Prairie Lakes Church in Osage, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to Gideon’s, Hospice Services, or your local church building fund. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Tom was born on June 15, 1935, in Hastings, Nebraska, to Cletus Asa Thomas and Evelyn Jessie (White) Thomas. He grew up in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School in 1954. Tom entered the United States Army on July 1, 1957, and served 2 years during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Norman on July 26, 1964. They resided in California where they owned and operated the Ye Ole Meat Shoppe. In 1979, they moved closer to family and settled in Kearney, Nebraska, where Tom worked in meat and food product sales. Tom was an active member of New Life Church for many years and served on the Elder Board of the Board of Trustees. He also served as an RV MAPS ministry member. Tom and Barb celebrated 39 years of marriage prior to her passing. On June 19, 2004, Tom married Gloria Joyce Milton at Stonecroft Conference Center in Hollister, Missouri, where they both volunteered. During the summers, they reside on a farm located in Little Cedar, Iowa, and are active members of Prairie Lakes Church in Osage, Iowa. Tom served as a chaplain in the church and volunteered on several committees. During the winter months, they reside in Yuma, Arizona, and attend Stoneridge Church. Tom spent time working in an orphanage in Mexico and was involved in small group ministries. Tom was known for always keeping busy, living life, genuinely loving others, and leading others to Christ. Tom and Gloria celebrated 13 wonderful years filled with love, joy, and dedication to serving the Lord. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Thomas of Little Cedar, Iowa; children, Cathy (Thomas) and Jeff Heckenlively of Anchorage, Alaska, Julann (Milton) and John Sindelar of Ridgeway, Iowa; David and Marsha Milton of Little Cedar, Iowa; Mark and Mary Milton of Mankato, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Coreen (Thomas) and Steve Paul of Sierra Vista, Arizona; Calvin and Carol Thomas of Lincoln, Nebraska; Don and Sharon Thomas of Hastings, Nebraska; and sister-in-law Connie Thomas of Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, and brother Lon Thomas.

Tommy Thomas

June 15, 1935 - December 27, 2017