Thomas_Boyd_21 May 1923
Boyd Thomas
Boyd Thomas, 84, of Malad, died on Saturday, December 22, 2007, in the Oneida County Hospital of pneumonia. He was born on May 21, 1923, in Malad, Idaho, the youngest son of Mary Pierce and David Price Thomas.
Boyd was raised in Malad and on the family ranch in Daniels. He graduated from Malad High School in 1941 and worked in California until he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. His lifelong interest in and experience with radio led to his qualifying for advanced training at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, “the greatest radio communications school in the world.” Upon successful completion of all courses there, he was assigned to the 874th Signal Company for overseas deployment, serving in Italy and North Africa and participating in the invasion of southern France. He celebrated his 22nd birthday on a troop carrier as he returned home from World War II. In 2004 he was one of the veterans invited to Boise to receive recognition from the military affairs attach E of the government of France for his efforts in liberating France. In November of this year, he was very pleased to be one of the honored veterans at the Malad Elementary Veterans’ Day program.
After the war, he plastered houses for Jody Hess in Malad until starting his own TV-radio repair business. In 1950, he married Edith Jones, also of Malad; their marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in February 1975. They had Lucille, Boyd James,. and Richard David. Edith died in April 1993. Boyd was a high priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings.
In 1965 Boyd started college at Utah State University, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. During these years, he also taught 4-H courses in electricity and provided long hours of volunteer support to local Boy Scout troops. Upon receiving his teaching certificate, he taught junior high history, math, and science and high school math and electronics from 1969 to his retirement in 1986. He influenced many of his students to pursue careers in electronics, math, and science.
Ham radio was Boyd’s favorite hobby, and as KG7MP, he talked to people all over the world – even astronauts on the space shuttle. He was a member of the Pocatello Amateur Radio Club and checked in nightly on the FarmNet. He enjoyed traveling and visited every state in the Union except Hawaii. He was very proud of his Welsh heritage and was a charter member of the Malad Valley Welsh Society. He also loved poetry and could recite dozens of poems from memory. His stories about family and World War II along with his wit and humor entertained all generations of family and friends.
Boyd is survived by his children: Gloria Jean of Malad; E. Lucille (Bob) Washburn of Castle Rock, Colorado; Boyd J. (Flor) of Germantown, Maryland; and Richard (Sue) of Moreland, Idaho. He is also survived by seven grandchildren (Jim, Amy, Mike, Betsy, Susan, Brandi, and Heidi), his sister Lucille (Bob) Keene of Bountiful, his brother Tom of Soda Springs, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Edith, his parents, three sisters (Nettie, Lenna, and Ruth), and three brothers (Stan, Fred, and J.D.).
Funeral services will be at noon on Friday, December 28, in the LDS 6th Ward Building at 400 North 200 West in Malad. Viewings will be from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, and prior to services from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Horsley Funeral Home at 132 West 300 North in Malad. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Horsley Funeral Homes of Malad.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boyd and Edith J. Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Oneida Education Foundation, 250 West 400 North.
BOYD THOMAS
Funeral Program
In Loving Memory
Boyd Thomas – 84
Born: May 21, 1923 – Malad, Idaho
Died: December 22, 2007 – Malad, Idaho
FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, December 28, 2007 – 12:00 noon
Malad LDS 6th Ward
Presiding – President Michael J. Hess
CASKET BEARERS
James Washburn
Michael Washburn
Keith Bolingbroke
Kelly Bolingbroke
Dennis Thomas
Ed Thomas
Brent Blaisdell
Don Day
Dennis Doyle
Jon Ward
SERVICE
Family Prayer – Richard Thomas
Prelude & Postlude – Helen Ward
Invocation – James Washburn, grandson
Life Sketch – Gloria Jean Thomas, daughter
Musical Selection – “Teach Me to Walk” – By Amy & Betsy Washburn, Susan, Brandi & Heidi Thomas, granddaughters, acc. by Lucille Washburn
Remarks – Boyd Thomas, son
Remarks – Richard Thomas, son
Poem – “Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Read by Amy Washburn, granddaughter
Piano Solo – Lucille Washburn, daughter
Speaker – President Michael J. Hess
Remarks – Bishop Larry Thomas
Benediction – Michael Washburn, grandson
Concluding Service – Malad City Cemetery
Dedicatory Prayer – J. Robert Washburn, son-in-law
Military Rites – American Legion, Ernest W. Jones Post #65
HONORARY BEARERS
Members of the Pocatello Amateur Radio Club
FLORAL TRIBUTE – GRANDDAUGHTERS
Compassionate service offered by the 6th Ward Relief Society