Richard Joseph Thomas left his family, friends, and comrades at the age of 66 on Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Lake Havasu City, Arizona.Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando, ND. Visitation will be held at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home of Cando on Wednesday, March 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service and rosary starting at 7 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church for one hour prior to the funeral mass. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

Richard Joseph Thomas fought the valiant fight—for his country, his family, and his life. Rick lived for years with the pain of back problems, rheumatoid arthritis, massive heart attacks, and finally, congestive heart failure. Through it all, he kept his zest for life, a smile on his face, a joke on his lips, and love in his heart. He was loved and respected by family and friends alike. Well-known for his skill as a carpenter, Rick never turned down a friend or family member who asked for help with a building project. As a devoted husband, father, and uncle, Rick, along with his wife, Glenda, of 44 years, treated many children as if they were their own. All of his nieces and nephews dearly loved and respected their “Uncle Rick”. Rick was a man of strong Catholic faith, and great integrity. He lived his faith as a devoted parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rick felt especially honored to sponsor Jaron Dahle through his confirmation.

Rick served his country for the cause of justice by entering the US Army in 1962 and serving in Vietnam and Turkey. He served 29 years in the Army National Guard. Rick also served his community as a firefighter for 32 years. He retired from military service in 2003 after giving his country a total of 32 years. Rick was a full-time member of the ND National Guard, VFW, American Legion, and Cando Fire Department.

Rick was born March 16, 1944, to Albert and Katherine (Schell) Thomas in Trail City, SD. After growing up in rural South Dakota, Rick shared stories of a hard life, raised by loving parents who taught him the importance of his faith, the love of family, respect for women, and devotion to his country. He attended grade school at Trail City and graduated from Timber Lake High School. Rick was very proud of his Associate of Arts degree earned at Lake Region State College of Devils Lake, ND.

Rick and Glenda Gene Armey married in Seattle, WA, on June 10, 1967. They lived in Seattle where Glenda worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad, and Rick worked as a carpenter in the northern valley. In 1970, they moved to Colorado with their two sons, James and Joe. Rick continued to support the family as a carpenter, while Glenda started her own business opening a temporary office service. In 1973, after the death of Glenda’s father, Glenn Armey, the family moved to Cando to be near Marion, Edie, and Jim.Rick and Jim forged an unbreakable bond in the last few years. Rick was employed at Great Plains Lumber Yard and later worked 29 years for the ND National Guard.

In 1996, Rick and Glenda had their first camping trip to Medora, ND. Following that experience, every summer was spent camping with family and close friends—always including one trip to Medora to honor our state’s heritage. Rick also enjoyed hunting and had a yearly trip with his buddies. He spent precious moments with his beloved grandson, JR on those hunting trips. Rick’s granddaughter, Brittney, was a special angel in the midst of all the “boys”. In his twilight years, Brittney and JR were the light of “grumpy’s life.”Rick also spent many hours reading about the cowboys and soldiers, who forged this great land.

Rick is survived by his wife: Glenda; sons: James and Joe; grandchildren: JR and Brittney; daughter-in-laws: Jody and Rebecca; brother: Bob Thomas; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents: Albert and Katherine (Schell) Thomas; step-father: Tony Leintz; in-laws: Glenn and Marion Armey; sister-in-law: Teresa Thomas; as well as many others who Rick honored by his presence at their memorial services. If Rick ever missed a wedding, funeral, reunion…on either side…we cannot think of one. He believed in honoring his loved ones—whatever the occasion might be.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Paralyzed Veterans of America, Cando Fire Department, or another charity of the donor’s choice.

We will miss you Sergeant First Class Thomas.  You led with tact, dedication and integrity.  Thank you for being a building block for many soldiers' futures.  You were a great source of courage, counsel, compassion, decisiveness, truth and tenacity.  Thank you for helping make the 3662nd Maintenance Company great.  Farewell Butch; Comrade, Leader and Friend.

3662nd Maintenance Company

SFC Rick (Butch) Thomas: you will be sorely missed by all of us in the ND National Guard State Maintenance Office. You served with great dedication, diligence, and honor. Your full-time technician service with the CSMS, CP Grafton was filled with success. We express our immense gratitude for your time spent at the CSMS and within the ND National Guard Surface Maintenance community. We miss you and hope God looks kindly on you and your family.

Your friends at the State Maintenane Office in Bismarck, ND; LTC Pat Gleich, CW5 David Jundt, CW3 Whit Dwyer, SSG Allan Decker, and SSG John Seedorf.

My condolences to the family. I was proud to have started my National Guard service serving under Butch. He was a great man to look up to, and we shared many laughs. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Butch, and I am very sorry that I will not be able to attend the services. I will send my prayers.

Jeff Durbin

Dear Glenda and family,                     

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time in your lives.  Death leaves a heartache hard to heal..........a loved one leaves memories that no one can steal.  May Rick rest in peace and may the peace of our Lord be with all of you.

Ron and Ardelle (Hoffert) Biberdorf

Glenda and her family, I want to say I am sooo sorry to hear about Rick's death.  He always love to tease me and he was such a nice man.  I will miss him. 

Anne DuBois

SFC Thomas: you will be sorely missed by all of us in the 136th CSSB. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of SFC Thomas's family.

SFC Julie Schafer

Saddened to hear of the loss of Richard. He was an awesome carptenter and always had a joke to tell.  He was a respected Patriot of our Nation and will be missed.

Dale & Cindy Kraft

Glenda- My condolences on the loss of your husband. He was such a nice man. Time lessens the pain. I pray that the warmth of the sunshine will heal your pain.

Claudette Hogenson

TO ALL OF  THE THOMAS FAMILY I SEND MY CONDOLENCES AND HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO ALL OF U .  I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF UR LOSS I WILL KEEP U IN MY PRAYERS. Kay Lutz

Glenda and your family:

Our prayers are with you now as we have just heard of Rick's passing. Reading about his varied, dedicated life of integrity and service has been very inspiring and meaningful.

We pray that you will know the loving arms of God around you at this time of grief and heavy loss. Be gentle on yourself and others who are grieving.

Kathie and Bob Denison, Buffalo, Minnesota

Rest  in peace Rick you will be missed by all. Jerry Nass

It's a sad occasion to hear of the loss of such a great guy. We had a lot of good times up in the Cando guard unit. Sending prayers to the family and God bless.

Greg Zeis

Glenda, I never knew Rick but he sounds like a wonderful man..Many years ago you and I were friends and brother Dave was a good pal of Jimmy.  I spent time at your home and at the lake and Jimmie spent many fun days at out farm..I haven't been to Cando for a few years. I always spent time with Mom Pearl's dear friend Doris Berg driving to all the old farm sites. She is soon moving to Fargo to be near Keith. She will soon be 90 and has vision problems...

Take care...

Judy Osborn Hammerstrom

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Richard (Broop).  It was always so nice to see him at the gatherings in Trail City and to listen to all the stories he had to say.  We all lost a good West River Friend.  He will be missed.

Bonnie Keller

So sorry to hear about your loss. Just saw him last summer at the Trail City reunion.

Don and Nancy Hummel

Sorry to read about Richard. You are in my prayers. Sheila Stoick

Dearest Glenda and Family,

Thank you for letting me know. I knew Rick had had many health problems, but he was such a wonderfully "up" person and so positive that one would never have known. I am so happy you two had those great 44 years together. Love you bunches ... and I am here anytime you need me.

As always,

Merry Botz