John Evans Thomas, 17 January 1892

John Evans Thomas, age 86, died April 26, 1978 at his home of natural causes.

Mr. Thomas was born January 17, 1892 at Malad, a son of Benjamin L. and Elizabeth Evans Thomas.

He married Mahala Bybee on Sept. 8, 1919 in Ogden, Utah, the marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple, Nov. 23, 1933; she died Oct. 19, 1939. He married Ruth Bybee on Nov. 8, 1944 at Preston, ID; the marriage was solemnized in 1963 in the Logan LDS Temple. She died June 2, 1953.

He received his education in the Malad schools, was an active member of the LDS Church, and was a High Priest in the Malad First Ward and a counselor in the Reynolds Ward Bishopric for 14 years.

Survivors include three daughters: Mrs. Lowell S. (Blanche) Miller and Miss Ruth B. Thomas, both of Provo; Mrs. Clive I. (Gwen) Anderson, Downey; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. One brother, William E. Thomas, Malad.

Funeral service was held April 26 at the Malad LDS First Ward Chapel with Bishop Gordon Griffiths officiating. The family prayer at the Benson Funeral Home was offered by H. Ward Thomas and the program at the chapel included prelude and postlude and accompaniment music, Pauline Buehler; invocation, Sheldon T. Miller; vocal duet, Lana Esplin and Bonnie Budge; life sketch, Sharon Lee Lowry; speakers, Bishop Lon W. Corbridge and President Myrthus Evans.

Remarks were given by Bishop Gordon Griffiths and a medley of Mr. Thomas’ favorite songs by Janette Black. The benediction concluded the service, given by Paul B. Larsen.

The concluding rites were held at the Malad City Cemetery where J. Guy Gleed gave the dedicatory prayer.

Flower arrangements were cared for by the Malad First Ward Relief Society, Karine Hill, president.

The casket bearers were: Sheldon T. Miller, Eric C. Anderson, Dirk T. Anderson, Craig Lowry, Lowell Scott Miller and Ross Bosworth.