Richard H. Thomas

Richard H. (Dick) Thomas passed away Friday, January 16, 2015 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was a 50 year member of Windsor United Methodist Church, 6222 University Avenue in Des Moines, where services will be held Thursday, January 22 at 11:00am. Visitation from 10:00 -11:00am. Dick was born at home on December 7, 1927 in Dow City, Iowa, the son of Merton and Martha (Weiss) Thomas. He grew up in a busy farm family. After graduation from Dow City High School in 1946 he joined the Army where he served in Korea as an MP for two years. After returning he attended Iowa State University, earning a degree in Civil Engineering. On October 26, 1958 he married Marilyn Child. They were blessed with two daughters - Kathleen and Linda. In 1959 he began his teaching career at Oakville and Johnston. In 1963 he began teaching American History at East High School in Des Moines. Along the way he earned a Masters Degree in American History at Drake University and taught at East until retirement in 1993. He loved: His family, his home town, the natural world, History, walking, reading, traveling, The Des Moines Register and MSNBC. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, daughters Kathy and Linda (John Latour), his brother Bill, sister Ruth Grace Lyon, several nieces and nephews and family friend Boris Worister. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack, Bob and Jim, nephews Tommy Lyon and David Thomas and great nephew Daniel Thomas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The United Methodist Church in Dow City Iowa 51528. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com