Warren Dean Thomas, 31 August 1930

DEAN THOMAS DIES AFTER ACCIDENT NEAR POCATELLO

Funeral services for Warren Dean Thomas, 34 year old assistant football coach at Idaho State University, Pocatello, were held at the Pocatello LDS 14th Ward Chapel with Bishop Leland Dial officiating at the services and burial was in the Mountainview Cemetery.

Mr. Thomas died early Friday at a Pocatello hospital of internal injuries suffered in an auto accident Wednesday night. (1968) He collided head-on with a car driven by James Firkins, 1008 E. Poplar, Pocatello, about one half mile south of Pocatello on Mink Creek Road. The collision occured about 8:20 p.m. said state patrolman Paul Todd.

Firkins was uninjured, but his wife suffered a broken arm.

Mr. Thomas, who was alone in his car driving toward the city, did not appear to be critically hurt, Todd said. Hew as taken to Bannock Memorial Hospital for treatment of a cut on his mouth and was on his feet.

Death was caused by peritonitis resulting from a ruptured intestine, and shock, an autopsy disclosed.

Todd said no citations were issued and an inquest was not held.

Mr. Thomas was a football star at Malad High School and at Idaho State, where he was a halfback on the unbeaten 1952 team of Coach Babe Caccia. He coached at Shelley High School from 1953 until 1958, when he joined the ISU staff. He was wrestling coach in addition to his football duties.

Mr. Thomas was born August 31, 1930 in Malad to Warren and Verda Sorensen Thomas. He married Joyce Weaver May 1, 1948 in Evanston, WY.

He was a member of the Gridiron Club, the Gate City Lions Club, and the 14th LDS Ward.

Survivors include his widow and four children, sons Dan and Troy Dean, and daughters Vivian and Debera jean, Pocatello; his parents, Malad; a brother, Lt. Ammon Brent Thomas, with the US Army in Germany and a grandmother, Mrs. A.A. Sorensen, Malad.