THOMAS MARION THOMAS
Thomas Marion Thomas (Tommy) was born in Malad, ID on June 13, 1921 to David Price and Mary Pierce Thomas along with four sisters and five brothers. He passed away on September 13, 2011 at Ivy Place and Align Hospice in Boise, Idaho.
Tommy played baseball, basketball and football on championship teams at Malad High. After graduating in 1939, he worked for his brother, Stanley, in the grocery business in California. In 1940 he returned to Malad and was hired by the Idaho State Highway Dept. where he gained valuable surveying skills.
Tommy was drafted into the Army in August of 1942. His service was in the 3rd Armored Division of the 6th Army. After training in Oklahoma and North Carolina, the 3rd Armored Division was sent to England for more training and preparation for D-Day where he landed at Normandy. The 3rd Armored slogged their way to Belgium, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and numerous other battles, finally blasting into Germany to meet up with Russian troops. Letters from Tommy to his family told the tales of a typical G.I. full of hope for his mission, price in his country, frustration at the uncertainties of war, but constant love for his two brothers also in the military and for his family at home.
Upon release from the Army in September, 1945, Tommy returned to Malad and to his job at the highway department, working for Leland “Turk” Jones, who taught him project management and contract administration.
During 1946 Tommy was sent to Soda Springs, and there he met Joy Wilson. They married in Paris, ID on August 10, 1946.
In 1956 Tommy moved his family to Soda Springs, after promotion to Resident Chief Engineer over all state roads in Caribou, Bear Lake and part of Bannock counties. Tommy built new or rebuilt every state road in his territory, and met the challenges of the 1964 flood that cut off Lava Hot Springs by designing and building a bridge in record time. Other important projects were paving over Tin Cup to the Wyoming state line, building the Fish Creek road and the Soda Springs railroad overpass that improved safety and access for residents. Tommy’s resume lists 169 projects he worked on and was project/contract manager on 137 of these jobs as Resident Chief Engineer.
Tommy retired in 1981 to golf and hang out at Enders with his friends. He embarked on a second career as a politician after appointment to a vacant City Council position in 1984. He retired from the City in 2002 after winning four elections. Tommy worked quietly, avoiding the spotlight, but never forgot his obligations to the citizens of Soda Springs and to city workers.
Tommy was an honest man with great love for his family, a true friend, willing to help anyone in need, a patriot who loved his country and served in every capacity with honor. He was an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joy preceded Tom in death after 55 years of marriage. He is survived by two sons, Bruce (Coleen) of Charlotte, NC, and Eddie (Barbara) of Boise, a sister, Lucille Keene of Bountiful, UT; two grandsons; four granddaughters and twelve great grandchildren.
Services will be September 24, 2011 at the Hooper LDS Chapel in Soda Springs. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff at ivy Place and Align Hospice in Boise.