Fredrick Dennis Thomas, (1947)

F. Dennis Thomas, 65, of Malad, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 12, 2012. Dennis was born on October 7, 1947, in Willits, California to Stanley and Erma Thomas. He was raised and educated in Malad and was a graduate of Malad High School class of 1965. He later spent time attending college at Brigham Young University and Utah State University. He was married to Brenda Gleed Thomas of Malad on September 6, 1968. He was drafted into the US Army and served his county from 1968-1970 in the Vietnam War. He then returned home to Malad to work alongside his father at the family grocery store, Stans IGA. In 1973 he moved to Montpelier, Idaho to open his own grocery store. He returned home to Malad to help operate Stans IGA when his father became ill in 1976. He took over ownership of the family grocery store in 1977 after his father’s passing. He continued to operate the family grocery store, which became Thomas Foodtown, through 1999. In May of 1999, He and his son, Jerry, opened Thomas Market. They worked together and operated Thomas Market from 1999 to 2009. In 2009, Jerry took over ownership and allowed Dennis to retire from his major responsibilities at the store. Despite retirement, Dennis could often be found at the grocery store. Dennis was a very active member of the Malad community including 24 years of service with the Malad Volunteer Fire Department and was honored as the Grand Marshal, with his wife Brenda, in the 2010 Malad 4th of July parade. He loved working at the store, hunting, fishing, bowling, vacationing, spending time with family and making people happy. He could always bring a smile to anyone’s face and was a friend to all he met. Dennis will be missed by all those who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, 2 children; Jerry (Heather) Thomas of Malad, Blake (Darla) Thomas of South Jordan, Utah, and 7 grandchildren. 3 brothers; David (Rochelle) Thomas, Tim (Gretchen) Thomas, Ned (Cherlynn) Thomas, and 3 sisters; Nancy (Lynn) Nalder, Ann (Jon) Ward, Connie (Doug) Albrectsen, mother-in-law Norma Oyler and brother-in-law Dennis (Marilyn) Gleed. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Marvin Thomas, and brother-in-law Lynn Nalder. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 16, 2012, at 12 noon in the Malad LDS Stake Chapel 1100 West 1250 N. Friends may visit with the Thomas family on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the church and on Friday at the church prior to services from 10:30-11:45 am. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Horsley Funeral Home, Malad (766-4330).