RAYMOND BURTON THOMAS
Port Orchard, Washington – Raymond B. Thomas, 73, died December 31, 2000, of oral cancer and Parkinson’s disease. He was born on December 24, 1927, in Standardville, Utah, to his schoolteacher parents, Alvin J. and Grace B. Thomas. His parents moved to his father’s family home in Samaria, Idaho, when he was 12 years old.
After graduating from Malad High School, and serving as a Navy recruiter during WWII, he followed in his older brother Cyril’s footsteps by graduating from Idaho State College in Pocatello, Idaho, and becoming a Pharmacist working in Phoenix, Arizona; Boise, Idaho; Portland and Salem, Oregon; and owning his own Drug Store in Dallas, Oregon
He was a consummate fisherman and enjoyed camping, hunting, Rotary Club, world traveling, vacations in Hawaii, and spending winters in Yuma, Arizona.
He married Betty Lou Wiggal in 1974; she died in 1997. Raymond was a very gracious person and genuinely interested in everyone. He enjoyed reading and expanding his horizons with continuing education, including Spanish, during his later years in Yuma.
Survivors include his children, Linda Tillman, Northridge, California; Cathy Harder, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Chris Anderson, Dallas, Oregon; Becky Hageman, Port Orchard, Washington; and Eric Thomas, Washougal, Washington; 20 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and one sister, Grace Jane Thomas (David) Stone, Cedar City, Utah.
Preceding him in death were newborn son Paul, parents, and brother Cyril.
Funeral and final arrangements were held January 4, 2001, in Dallas, Oregon and Washington.
Thomas Pain wrote: “Reputation is what men and women think of us. Character is what God and angels know of us.” Ray, the customers are all finished shopping and have been let out. The tills are all balanced and the cash is in the safe. It’s time to go home, Betty is waiting.
How blessed is the tie that binds
Our hearts in lasting love,
The comradeship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
So when at last we have to part
In sorrow and in pain,
We know we still are
Joined in heart
Until we meet again.