Earl Jenkins Thomas, 24 August 1913
EARL THOMAS
Earl Jenkins Thomas, 70, Malad, died August 28, 1983 at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT.
He was born August 24, 1913 at Samaria, to James B. and Ann Jenkins Thomas. He grew up and was educated in Malad and was a graduate of Malad High School. He attended Weber State College and later worked in Pocatello and Malad for the US Soil Conservation Division.
He married Ardelle Parry on Dec. 21, 1939 in the Logan LDS Temple. He worked in Idaho and Wyoming for the Civilian Conservation Corp. as a company commander. Mr. Thomas served in the armed forces during the Second World War and was stationed in the South Pacific, where he was decorated and received the Air Medal. After the war, he was employed by the Interior Dept. where he worked for 40 years, 25 of which in Washington, CD.
While in Washington, he received his BS degree from American University and also attended the Brookings Institute. He served many years as associate director for the Bureau of Land Management and later as compliance officer in the Interior secretary’s office. He had served three terms as president of the Idaho Society. He retired in 1974 and returned to Malad in 1978.
He was a member of the LDS Church and held the office of High Priest. He had served as Stake Sunday School superintendent, president of YMIA and with his wife had been a temple worker in the Washington, CD Temple. Mr. Thomas had also worked for many years in the scouting program.
He is survived by his wife of Malad; a son, Maj. James B. Thomas, USMC, and a daughter, Mrs. Dennis (Suzi Jane) Everton, both of Honolulu, Hawaii; five grandchildren; two brothers, Jess J. Thomas, Ogden, UT, and James J. Thomas, Seattle; four sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Alley, Salt Lake City, UT; Mrs. Mary W. Zundel, Malad; Mrs. Jennie King of Seattle; and Mrs. Francisco (Ruth) Hoyos, Boca Raton, FL.
Funeral services will be at the Malad LDS Second Ward Chapel with Bishop Howard May officiating. Burial will be in the Malad City Cemetery.