Boyd Thomas, 14 August 1925

FORMER MALAD RESIDENT DIES WHILE HUNTING

Aberdeen – Boyd Thomas, Pocatello father of seven, died November 22, 1962 after he apparently tripped and accidentally shot himself while pheasant hunting.

Thomas, 1735 N. Harrison, was hunting with five other persons, including two sons, Allan and Duane Thomas, on the Mark Fehringer farm about two and a half miles north of Aberdeen.

Deputy Sheriff Hassell Vargason said the party spotted some pheasants about 10 a.m. and Thomas got out of the car and moved around a canal about 300 yards from the rest of the party.

A shot was heard, and when the others went to investigate, Thomas was found shot in the chest. He was rushed to Power County Hospital at American Falls but died about a half hour after the accident, before he reached the hospital.

Bingham County Coroner Earl Rodgers said he plans no inquest and said Thomas apparently slipped on a rock, accidentally discharging his shotgun.

Boyd David Thomas was born August 14, 1925 in Malad to James and Leona Olsen Thomas. He lived in Malad and entered the US Army in 1944. He served in Europe until 1946. In 1948 he came to Pocatello.

He was married to Laurel Norene Hirschi August 14, 1950. In 1950 and 1951 he served in the US Air Force.

When he returned from the Air Force, he began work at Westvasco and worked there since. He was a member of the I.A. of M., Local 1933.

He was a member of the LDS Third Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his wife, of Pocatello; his father, Malad, two sons, Alan David and Duane; five daughters, Karen, Paula, Laura, Lee, Kim and Kristyne, Pocatello; two brothers, Harry J. Alhambra, CA; and Heber G., Ogden; and a sister, Aileen Thorpe, Roy, UT.