Duane Leston Thomas

THOMAS, CUPPY, DEBOWER, CAPOS

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 7/2/2009 at 12:16:08

Duane Leston Thomas, 69 of 1529 E. College street, died November 29, 2006 at his home of a massive heart attack.

Duane was born July 6, 1937 in Iowa City, Iowa the son of John Leston and Stella Maye Cuppy Thomas. He was baptized in the Welsh Church, Old Man’s Creek, rural Iowa City. He was raised on the family farm in Sharon Township. In 1951 he moved to Iowa City. He graduated from City High School in 1955 and the University of Iowa in 1959. Duane served in the United States Army from 1959-1962. Following his service in the military he attended graduate school also at the University of Iowa 1962-1964.

Duane taught and coached at Harmony H.S. Farmington, IA 1964-67; H-L-V, Victor, 1967-76; Muscatine High School, 1976-85. He coached at Mid-Prairie High School, Wellman, 1985-87 and Williamsburg High School, 1995-96.

From 1981 until 2001 Duane cared for his mother, Stella Maye Thomas (The Doll Lady for Goodwill).

Duane was the secretary/treasurer of the Welsh Pioneer Cemetery, he published the O.T.R. Cubs and Hawkeye Newsletter and had been a columnist for the Voice of the Hawkeye’s. He had worked for CW Enterprises and was employed by the Iowa City Press Citizen at the time of his death.

Duane was buried in a private family service at the Welsh Pioneer Cemetery.

He is survived by his sister Donna and her husband Albert DeBower of Allison, IA and one nephew, Will DeBower and his wife Christie Capos of the Kansas City, MO area.

Memorials may be directed to Welsh Pioneer Cemetery, the Thornberry Dog Park, Iowa City or a charity of the donor’s choice.