Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

Friends are invited to visit with the family of Chet Thomas, 89, Lawrence, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. A private graveside inurnment will be held later for the family.
Mr. Thomas passed away on February 16, 2012, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was 89.
Chet was one of four children born to John and Evelyn Thomas. He was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, on July 7, 1922, and grew up in Newton, MA. He attended Northeastern University and served his country in the Army Signal Corps during WWII. He married June Miller on July 24, 1948 and they had 3 children.
Chet moved his family to Lawrence, KS, in 1968 to open the B. F. Goodrich distribution center. He was active in the Lawrence community, belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion Post 14, the Elks Lodge, and the Cosmopolitan Club. He was a founding member of the social organization, Big Blue. He was an avid golfer throughout his life and received a number of golf trophies and medals including recognition for 8 “holes in one”. He competed in the Senior Olympics in golf and volunteered for the Sunflower Games, Junior Division. He enjoyed dancing at the American Legion, playing cards, gardening, and watching all sports, especially professional golf and KU basketball.
Preceding him in death was his wife, June Thomas, his parents, John and Evelyn Thomas, his older brother, John Thomas, and his younger sister Rose Ferdenzi.
Survivors include his 3 daughters and their husbands, Christine Ross-Baze, (Jim Baze) Ozawkie, KS, Caren Gaultney, (Joseph Gaultney) McLouth, KS and Cindy Kruger (Greg Kruger), Baldwin City, KS, his younger sister and her husband, Evelyn Hines (Bill Hines) of Needham, MA, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 6 nephews, a niece and his dear friend Rusty Moore, Lawrence, KS.
The family would like to suggest donations made in Chet’s name be sent to the American Legion Post 14 Lawrence, KS, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.