In Memory Of
Verdette Thomas
1919
2016
Verdette Thomas
August 19, 1919 — April 28, 2016
Verdette Robert Thomas, 96, of Casper, Wyoming, formerly of Faith and Rapid City, SD, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Meadow Wind Assisted Living in Casper, WY. He was born on August 19, 1919 to Loren and Thera Thomas in Oneida, SD. Verdette graduated high school in 1939 and went on to enlist in the United States Army in 1942. He served during WWII and became wounded in France in November of 1944. He received two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his valor during that time and was honorably discharged in December of 1945. He returned to the states and married his wife, Dorothy C. McIlravy on November 17, 1945, together they had one daughter, Janis.
Verdette attended and graduated from Bottineau School of Forestry in 1948, he attended Montana University from 1948-1949 and then attended and graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD in 1950. Verdette served and internship with the Department of Agriculture in Buffalo, SD from 1950 until 1951 then went on to work for the Soil Conservation Service in Faith, SD from 1951 until 1976. After his departure he went on to work for AT&T as purchasing right of ways off and on until 1985. Starting in the 50's Verdette and Dorothy would drive students to their athletic competitions and games, then when Faith, SD was able to obtain a bus, he volunteered to be the bus driver for a few years. In 1994 they relocated to Rapid City until 2003 when he moved to Casper, WY to be closer with their daughter.
Verdette was active with the Masonic Lodge and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and is survived by his daughter, Janis Thomas of Casper, WY; sister, Lorene Carroll of North Carolina; Goddaughter, Cathy Nesland Baragar and Godson, Mike Nesland both of Rapid City, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held, 1:00 PM, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Verdette's name to the Shrine Hospital, Central Wyoming Hospice or a charity of your choice.
To share a memory of Verdette or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
Verdette attended and graduated from Bottineau School of Forestry in 1948, he attended Montana University from 1948-1949 and then attended and graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD in 1950. Verdette served and internship with the Department of Agriculture in Buffalo, SD from 1950 until 1951 then went on to work for the Soil Conservation Service in Faith, SD from 1951 until 1976. After his departure he went on to work for AT&T as purchasing right of ways off and on until 1985. Starting in the 50's Verdette and Dorothy would drive students to their athletic competitions and games, then when Faith, SD was able to obtain a bus, he volunteered to be the bus driver for a few years. In 1994 they relocated to Rapid City until 2003 when he moved to Casper, WY to be closer with their daughter.
Verdette was active with the Masonic Lodge and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and is survived by his daughter, Janis Thomas of Casper, WY; sister, Lorene Carroll of North Carolina; Goddaughter, Cathy Nesland Baragar and Godson, Mike Nesland both of Rapid City, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held, 1:00 PM, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Verdette's name to the Shrine Hospital, Central Wyoming Hospice or a charity of your choice.
To share a memory of Verdette or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Verdette Thomas, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Graveside Service
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Starts at 1:00 pm (Mountain time)
Black Hills National Cemetery
Guestbook
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