Donald E. Thomas

Donald Eldon Thomas was born April 10, 1934 on a farm near Pitzer in Madison County, Iowa, to Eldon and Buelah (Eyerly) Thomas. He was a 1953 graduate of Winterset High School. His marriage to Margaret Hester took place on March 10, 1957 and to this union four children were born. He later married Esther Agee Cox on September 24, 1990. Donald was a lifelong Madison County resident. During his working career, Donald worked with his father for 16 years at the Thomas Feed and Produce in Winterset. He also drove a school bus for the Winterset School District for 12 years and drove a grain truck for several years. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Dakota Thomas; a sister, Irene Thomas and a brother, Les Thomas. Donald was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winterset and in past years attended the Macksburg Methodist Church. He loved country music, especially enjoyed Gaither Gospel Music. He enjoyed gardening, loved flowers but most of all he enjoyed watching WWE wrestling on TV. Donald is survived by his wife, Esther Thomas of Winterset; his children, Joan Beebe and husband, Jeff of Winterset; Judy Thomas of Palm Harbor, FL; Dan Thomas and wife, Barb of Indianola; David Thomas and wife, Jamie of Patterson; Craig Cox and wife, Sharon of Macksburg; a sister, Loree Hawkins of Adel; a brother, Gerald Thomas of Winterset; 9 grandchildren; Jessica, Jason, Emily, Jacob, Johnathan, Holden, Amanda, Kelly and Nick and 3 great grandchildren; Kailey, Kinsey and Kaeler. Visitation: 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., where family will be present to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. May 26, 2009 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare, Winterset Service: 2:00 p.m., May 27, 2009 at First United Methodist Church, Winterset Memorial: Memorials may be directed to the family.