Obituary of Verlon Eugene Thomas

Verlon Eugene Thomas, 87, passed away quietly at home on January 7, 2015. He was born in tiny Castle Gate, Utah. He and his ten siblings grew up with lots of love and fun in a little house across from the leafy Spanish Fork central park. He married Clara Lenora Irvine on September 29, 1954 and remained amazed and grateful for that good fortune for the rest of his life. He and Clara raised five children: Sandy, Elena, Dan, Mike, and Paul. He leaves 3 living children, 17 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Gene worked as a metallurgist for U.S. Steel for 38 years, but loved coming home to get involved with whatever project his family had cooking. He was the unfailing supporter of ward parties, scout campouts, club events, bowling leagues, and church ball. He hauled chairs, tables, refreshments, and decorations back and forth with only an occasional grumble. Gene was an appreciator. Every meal he had was delicious, every view spectacular, and every grandchild's recital "pro-fessional." In later years, he traveled the world with Clara, but enjoyed simple things most: a good hamburger, playing with little children, getting a discount, going for a long drive, watching a BYU game, meticulously recording his car's gas mileage, and working in his beautiful backyard. He served as a ward clerk, counselor, teacher, nursery worker, and temple patron, but his favorite role was as husband, father, and grandfather. He tired himself out in our service and was always up for fun. We will miss his gentle humor, his kind ways, and his unfailing help. His life bore his testimony. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12 at 673 E 300 N, American Fork, UT 84003. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Missionary Fund.