Wm. Richard "Dick" Thomas passed away Saturday October 19 ^th , in Butte. He was born in Butte on January 16, 1933 to Margaret and Provis Thomas. He received his education in Butte schools and graduated from Butte High School in 1951.

Dick served two years in the US Army, most of it in Korea. He then served four years in the Montana National Guard. When he returned from service, his cousin set him up with one of her classmates in nursing school, Deanna M. Kennedy. He married her the next summer, on June 13, 1959, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. There, they celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary this summer with family.

Dick started working at his parent's corner grocery, Provy's Superette. He later worked as a mechanic for various locations prior to getting on with the Anaconda Co., where he worked for 26 years. He worked various jobs during strikes and, after the Anaconda Co. closed, he finished his career at Montana Resources.

He was a lifelong member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He would tell us BPOE stood for "Best People on Earth". He always took the kids to the Elk's Christmas Party and liked to go dancing at the Elk's.

Dick enjoyed boating, including building his own race boat. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, softball and bowling. He instilled a love for the outdoors in all of his kids.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Dan, Leonard, and Jack Thomas; and his son, Rick Thomas. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Deanna; his children and their spouses, Julie (Jim) Downey, Diane (Skip) Arntson, Tim (Jeanette) Thomas, Dan Thomas, and Pat (Tawna) Thomas; grandchildren and their spouses; Ashley (Zach) Lord, Andy (Tessa) Arntson, Adam (Megan) Arntson, Brittni (Ben) Rogers, Brian Thomas, Ariel Thomas, Josh (Natalie) Repsis, and Jacey Repsis; brother, Ed (Maggie) Thomas; and sister, Vonnie Thomas. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joan McKenna, Kay (Marty) Mulcahy, Sue Kennedy and Willie Thomas; life long friend, Norman Guay; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Wednesday after 5:00 PM in the Immaculate Conception Church. Parish Vigil will be recited at 6:00 PM in the Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday morning at 10:00 am in the Church. Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials are request to the Butte YMCA, where all of the ladies kept him in line, or the Butte Food Bank