THOMAS, Harold Richard

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: Harold Richard Thomas, 75, died May 18, 2009, after a brave battle with NSC lung cancer in his home in Bentonville, AR, surrounded by his beloved family. He was born October 31, 1933 in Chicago, IL to Daniel and Ruth Strand Thomas. Harold graduated High School with honors. He married Phyliss June Hastings on Jan 24, 1953; having been introduced to her by her brother John Hastings, his friend. Just a few words help describe the type of man Harold was: loving, family man, hardworking, capable, intelligent, stubborn, reserved and most of all a good son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He was stoic and worked hard to make life better for his loved ones. Harold also had a great sense of humor, even making his doctors, nurses, and family laugh up to his end. Harold served in the Army and was a Korean War veteran and received an honorable discharge with a good conduct award. He loved God and supported his country. He was a machinist by trade and a “jack of all trades,” in Downers Grove, IL, where he designed improvements on Boeing aircraft parts. He moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1978, where he had his own gas and service station for many years with his youngest son, Perry Thomas. In addition, he was a landlord of several properties in Pea Ridge, AR, and Monett, MO. He retired to Bentonville, AR in 1996, where he was a member of the American Legion post. Although retired, he continued to remodel homes and take care of his wife, Phyliss. Harold also enjoyed fishing. Family summer vacations away included road trips across the United States with his wife and children; asking “are we there yet?” For Harold, being a husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa brought him much joy. Harold’s parents, Daniel and Ruth Thomas, his uncle, Harold Strand, his brothers Daniel and Harry, and his sisters Violet Alberts and Arlene Meyer preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Phyliss; sons, Jerry Richard Thomas of Chicago, salesman and Perry Roger Thomas landlord and wife Ewentha of Muskogee, Oklahoma; daughters, Terry Joyce, caregiver and husband Ronald Bacastow of Downers Grove, IL, Merry Ruth Thomas (Byrne) R.N., Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist, Oakland, CA, Sherry Lynn and husband Danny Smith of Garfield, AR; grandsons, Jerry Richard Thomas of Chicago, Jason Roger Thomas and wife Alyssa of Oswego, IL, Ryan Scott Bacastow of Downers Grove, IL, Randall James Bacastow of Downers Grove, IL, Harold James Thomas of Muskogee, OK, Perry Calvin Thomas of Muskogee, OK; granddaughters, Justin Ann Thomas of Chicago, IL, Zoe Megan Byrne of Oakland, CA, Tara Renee Bacastow of Downers Grove, IL; great-grandchildren, Destiny, Ryan, and Cheyenne Thomas of Muskogee, OK, and future great=grandson due Oct. 2009 of Chicago, IL. Also survived by brothers, Russell Thomas and wife, Nancy, of Downers Grove, IL; John Thomas and wife, Paula, of Alma, IL; and sister Dorothy Zarn of Portage, WI, sister-in-law Ruth Thomas od Easley, SC. Along with many nieces and nephews across the country. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, charity of choice, or to his wife, Phyliss. A private viewing and memorial was held on May 19, 2009. Arrangements were by Benton Country Memorial Park Funeral Home
• Occupation: Machinist
• Cause of Death: Lung Cancer
• Residence: 1978, Pea Ridge, Benton, AR, USA

Harold married HASTINGS, Phyliss June [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Terry married BACASTOW, Ronald [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Merry married BYRNE, Hugh Drennan [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jerry married DOREEN [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sherry married SMITH, Danny Jo [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: UNKNOWN, Ewentha. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]