THOMAS, Sydney Allen 1923-2017

THOMAS, ALLEN, ROBERTSON

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 6/12/2017 at 11:05:03

U.S. VETERAN

Sydney A. "Syd" Thomas

Died: Apr 14, 2017

Services:
Saturday, June 10, 2017 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 608 West Fourth Street, Waterloo, Iowa

Cemetery:
Private family committal service at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery

Memorials:
Waterloo Community Schools Foundation or Waterloo Public Library

Biography--

Sydney A. Thomas, 94, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Friday, April 14, 2017 at Friendship Village.

Syd Thomas was born on February 23, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, the younger son of Alfred P. and Gertrude Allen Thomas. He graduated from Muscatine High School in 1940, obtained a B.S. in Physical Sciences from the University of Chicago in 1944, and completed law school at the University of Michigan in 1949.

Like most young men of his generation, Syd served his country in World War II. He was trained as a navigator and weather officer and flew weather reconnaissance missions from England for the 25th Bomb Group of the United States Army 8th Air Force in England. Following VE Day in May 1945, he continued his service as a weather officer in England and later with the American Forces in postwar Germany.

Syd married Elizabeth Jeanne Robertson on June 4, 1948 in Foxburg, Pennsylvania. Together they raised a family of six children. Jeanne preceded him in death September 20, 2015. He was devoted to his wife and cherished their family.

With a twinkle in his eye, Syd entertained his friends, children and grandchildren with stories, poems and limericks. He delighted in bounding grandchildren on his knee and helping them explore the world as they took walks together (Syd was a lifelong avid walker). At an age when most people think of slowing down, Syd took up long distance cycling and, after age 65, rode across Iowa seven times with his sons and grandchildren on RAGBRAI.

Syd practiced law in Waterloo for over four decades, starting at Mosier & Mosier in 1949, which later became Mosier, Mosier, Thomas, Beatty, Dutton, Braun and Staack (now DBS&H). He served as Assistant Black Hawk County Attorney early in his legal career and was active in the County and State Bar Associations.

Syd was a strong advocate for public education, serving on the Waterloo Community School Board for over a decade, including serving as President of the Board. He was active in a number of community organizations including: Waterloo Rotary Club, Spokeman’s Club, Waterloo Elks Lodge #290, and the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Christ, Waterloo.

Syd was an avid reader, supporter of the Waterloo Public Library and active in the community. He was the recipient of the Waterloo Distinguished Service Award in 1960, named Waterloo Father of the Year in 1967, and recognized as Waterloo Man of the Year in 1968. He was a long-time member of the 8th Air Force Association.

Syd provided a strong example of servant leadership, volunteering his time in service of others: mentoring young people, volunteering with the Boy Scouts, delivering Meals on Wheels, and reading to children on Read Across American Day.

He is survived by his six children, Allen (Barbara) Thomas of Phoenix, Arizona, David (Billie) Thomas of Fairfax, Virginia, Cynthia (Judd) Brasch of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Andrew (Pam) Thomas of Waterloo, Emily (Ric) Harned of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and John (Marian) Thomas of Houston, Texas; 16 grandchildren, Cory Thomas of Keller, Texas, Courtney Thomas of Burke, Virginia, Dusty Thomas of Phoenix, Arizona, Abbey Hatton of Waterloo, Chelsey Rogers of San Diego, California, Adam Thomas of Waterloo, Betsy Gross of Clifton, Virginia, Alison Simonson of Minneapolis, Jonathan Harned of Chula Vista, California, Annie Thomas of Waterloo, Tyler Brasch of Minneapolis, Erin Harned of LaCrosse, Greg Thomas of Houston, Louis Thomas of Houston, Kim Butz of Waterloo, and Karen Tupper of Dubuque; 13 great-grandchildren, Josie, Ethan, Drew, Kamren, Lily, Zoe, and Kace Thomas, Camden and Berkeley Gross, Carter Hatton, Josephine Simonson, Erik Tupper, and Bailey Butz; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Thomas of Iowa City, and two nieces, Barbara Zinn and Carol Dollman, both of Iowa City.

Syd was preceded by his wife, Jeanne, his parents, and his brother, John Thomas. He is not truly gone but lives on in the lives of those who loved him.

Source: Locke Funeral Home website

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Note: His tombstone shows his name as Sydney Allen Thomas. See the grave marker on Iowa GPP, in Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery.

Iowa GPP
 

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