Richard G Thomas

THOMAS, EUBANKS, DAGUE

Posted By: Pat Frette (email)
Date: 3/4/2009 at 12:36:10

Richard Grant Thomas, age 70 of Marshalltown, passed away Friday, February 27, 2009 at Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 4, at Pursel Davis Funeral Home. Visitation will be 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 3, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens at 9:00 A.M., Thursday, March 5, 2009. Online condolences may be sent to the family at vogelfuneralhomes.com. Pursel Davis Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Richard Grant Thomas was born May 10, 1938 in Albion, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Mary (Nelson) Thomas. He was raised and educated in Albion graduating from Albion Consolidated School. He worked at Marshalltown Manufacturing (Marshalltown Instruments) until its closing. He later worked at the Iowa Veterans Home, first as a custodian and then as a resident treatment worker, until his retirement.
He married Shirley Louise Eubanks on March 8, 1958, in Marshalltown, Iowa. They were married close to 47 years. She passed away February 8, 2005. Richard later married Viola Elizabeth Dague on November 21, 2006.
Richard enjoyed fishing; gardening; bird watching; tinkering with electronics and machinery; and spending time on the computer playing games. His newest hobby was FaceBook with the grandchildren. He had a big heart and was always willing to help anyone. He was especially proud of, and enjoyed spending time with, all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was fond of giving them his famous "big bear hug".
Richard is survived by his three daughters Carol (John) Ward of St. Anthony; Eileen (Edward) Biehn of Ames; Penny Ferriss of Marshalltown; grandchildren Staci (Greg) Piklapp; Shannon (Jeremy) Jacobsen; Douglas Biehn; Nick (Jen) Ferriss; Greg Ferriss; Matt Ferriss; great-grandchildren Kamryn, Carter, Madilynn, McKenzie, Nickayla and the newest to arrive in August; his second wife, Viola (Liz); sisters and brothers: Marlys Keeler; Dorothy (Bob) Sutherland; Margaret (Dan) Vanatta; Sherry Lloyd; Patty (Gary) Hanegan; Robert (Marcia) Thomas; Marvin (JoAnn) Thomas; Tom Cavanaugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley, brother Paul, and infant grandson.
Boone News Republican