Obit: Thomas, Richard A. (1946 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Thomas, Malinowski, Buffington, Oelrich

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 27 Aug 2014

Thomas, Richard A. (17 JAN 1946 – 6 SEP 2014)

Richard A. Thomas, 68, King, formerly of Loyal and Greenwood, died on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home, in King. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Sept. 11,
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer. Rev. David Depaoli will officiate. Burial will follow at McMillan Memorial Gardens, Marshfield. Pallbearers will be Wayne Thomas, Steve Thomas, Glen Thomas, Steve Canfield and Matthew Thomas. Visitation will be held at the church, on Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services.

Richard Allan Thomas was born on Jan. 17, 1946, in Greenwood, a son of Arnold and Delores (nee Malinowski) Thomas. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in the Greenwood area, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1964. Richard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Nov. 1, 1965, and served until his honorable discharge on April 30, 1974. While in the service, he met and married Elaine Buffington on May 6, 1967, at Pelican Lutheran Church in Ashby, Minn. They later divorced. After his discharge, he moved back to Clark County and worked for Plautz Brothers for a few years. Richard then drove truck for Smith Transport in Loyal for many years. He moved to Loyal in 1987 and retired in 2000. After retiring, Richard drove for Abby Vans Inc. in Neillsville and enjoyed helping his brother, LeRoy, on the family farm. He moved to Colby in 2012 before entering the Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King on Feb. 15, 2013. Richard had many interests, but especially loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events, photography, bird watching, sightseeing, NASCAR, golfing and frisbee golf. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer and was a former member of the Jaycees.

Richard will be dearly missed by his children, Troy (Brenda) Thomas, Greenwood, and Leanne (Gene) Oelrich, Spencer; five grandchildren, Treyton, Christian and Bria Thomas, and Emma and Grant Oelrich; three brothers, Dennis (Alta) Thomas, Sioux Falls, S.D., Everett (Cheryl) Thomas, Greenwood, and LeRoy
Thomas, Greenwood; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.