Glenn Thomas
November 21, 2021
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Glenn Roy Thomas, age 88, passed into Heaven’s gates on Sunday, November 21, 2021, from cancer at his home surrounded by family. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, November 28, 2021, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, IA 50309. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2021 at Rising Sun Church of Christ, 6390 NE Rising Sun Drive, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. There will be a luncheon at the church after the burial.
Glenn was born June 5, 1933 in Des Moines, Iowa, the ninth child of Ora and Ethel Thomas. He took over Thomas Brothers Septic Tank Service in 1950 with his brother, Booch Thomas, a company that was started by their father, Ora. Glenn enjoyed coon hunting with his brothers and his nephews. He also enjoyed playing cards. Glenn’s life was his family, especially his son, Gary. He was the proudest grandpa that ever lived. He was very giving and loving, helping to put his grandkids through college and get them their first cars. There is no one named Thomas that he hasn’t done something for. Glenn’s life served the purpose of keeping everyone together and helping everyone.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Donna Thomas; children, Sherry (Steve) Hollingsworth, Pam (Curt) Naeve, Gary Thomas, and Ronnie Thomas; sister, Gladys Snodgrass; grandchildren, Craig (Tania) Naeve, Tom (Stephanie) Naeve, Tyler (Kristina) Naeve, Lance (Libby) Naeve, Joe (Julie Johnson) Thomas, Mindy (Chris) Gannon, Jason Thomas, and Katelyn Thomas; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Ora Sr. and Ethel Thomas; brothers, Vernon L. Thomas, Virgil Thomas, Raymond Thomas, and Ora Lee Thomas, Jr. “Booch”; sisters, Leota Dippold, Helen Belcher, Maxine Novotny, and Betty Thomas; great-granddaughter, Abigail Rae Ann “Abby” Naeve; and son-in-law, Curt Naeve.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Bev Thomas
11/29/2021
Today was the funeral of a wonderful man ,my uncle. We always said everything he touched turned to gold! It mustve been true because he had a heart of gold! He was a brother to my Dad and quite a lot like him. That let me revisit my dad a little bit when I got to see my uncle Glenn . He had great concern and love for his entire family. I just want to tell him one more time how much I loved and respected him.
Love always, Bev
Berneice
11/29/2021
Glen you are a very good uncle you will be missed dearly. I had a lot of fun visiting with you over the years. Sending my love and great respect. I love you always.💔💔
Cathy Jeffords
11/26/2021
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Tim and Cathy
Curt Goettsch
11/25/2021
Im going to miss Big Glenn. Its been nearly six decades since I first met Glenn. I was a skinny 16-year-old dating his niece, Linda. My own family was scattered far and wide, literally from coast to coast, so I marveled at the closeness of Lindas aunts, uncles and cousins. Nearly all of them lived across the street from each other, this family was that tight. When Grandma was ill, Lindas mom spent nearly every night sitting with her. No nursing home for Grandma!
I recall those Sundays when the family would gather at Grandmas tiny house to holler, cuss, smoke and berate each other, but alway with genuine affection. My family was rather cold and uncaring; this house was full of love.
Even as a high school kid, I was accepted as a full member of the Thomas clan. There was one occasion when I was shopping for a car at the family used car lot. I thought I saw one that was nice, when Glenn told me, You dont want that car. He never told me why, but protecting me from a bad investment was far more important than a sales commission.
Linda shared her experiences to me of visiting the Thomas homes in the Southeast Bottoms. How Glenn always made sure Linda had money for ice cream at the corner store, listening to the train horns in the switching yard, the crickets calling for mates at dusk and the family saying goodnight to each other. Even tales of making her way to the outhouse on cold winter nights.
Although I havent seen Glenn in a few years, it was always comforting to know he was there, ready and willing to help us in any way possible. When we were considering moving back to Iowa from the Arkansas Ozarks and found a tight housing market, Glenn said, Dont you worry about finding a house. Ill find you a good one! Big Glenn didnt refer to his girth or stature, rather it was in reference to his huge heart. His greatest joy in life was to give to his family, which he is doing today as we praise his life.
Death is inevitable, its a journey we will all take one day, but death has lost its sting for Big Glenn. He feels no pain, anguish . . . hes at total peace. How I wish we could sit around the kitchen table one more time to argue politics, used car prices or just shoot the s_ _t, all of which Glenn is doing right now with his brothers and sisters. I kinda envy him and hope hes saving me a chair.
Gloria Collins
11/23/2021
To the family of Glenn
So sorry to hear of Glenn's passing. I will never forget how kind and loyal he was with his daily visits to his cousin Micky boy,(my husband) On his final days this did not go unnoticed!!
Gloria Collins
Sonia Fazio
11/23/2021
Glenn Thomas family,
We are proud, happy and honored to call Glenn our cousin. We are very heartbroken and sad at this time, he was dear and sweet to us, and always a joy to be with.
We loved to be with him and our brother that he call Micky boy, we would laugh until tears rolled down our faces. (We loved it when he called me and my sister both by one name Sony and Eddie) He always made us feel like he was extra happy to see us. We have so many untold stories we can talk about another time. He is one of those people you can never forget!!
Your cousins Sony and Eddie
Cindy Uhlman
11/23/2021
So sorry to hear about Glenn. He was a very wonderful guy. I send my love and hugs.
Barb Tuttle
11/23/2021
To the family members of Glenn Thomas,
My Condolences on the loss of your patriarch, Glenn. Thank you for allowing Kathy and myself, to come and share the love of Christ with your family. You will be remembered in prayer in the coming weeks.
Sincerely, Barb & Jeff Tuttle
Jessica c/o Aplus Homecare
11/23/2021
Working in home care you would think it would get easier but man did this take a toll on our entire officewe were so lucky to get to be a big part of Glenns life although hell be the first to tell you he definitely didnt need us but definitely enjoyed our girls company- and Tiffanys foot rubs ❤Glenn, Donna and Gary became very near and dear to our hearts VERY FAST & nothing will remain the same. Sheri know our thoughts are with you guys at this hard time and if mom or Gary need us well be there in a hurry. We are thinking of you all in this time and are just a phone call away.
Kelly Thomas
11/23/2021
You will truly be missed by everyone. You was a good uncle. You was there everyday with us when dad was passing away. We will miss you. Tell dad and mom I love them ♥❤
sherri Lynn thomas
11/23/2021
You were the rock along with Vernie of the Thomas family you always made things happen, if we needed advice on something call Glen he will know the answers, I would like to add that you also coon hunted with your niece's me and Berneice always would go when we could,you were fun to be on our team for our thanksgiving hunts they were a blast, these young Thomas kids will never know the thrill of the annual hunt the laughs the little arguments was so much fun and a ever lasting memory especially when we were riding double on the little white mule and she fell with u,I have so many memories that I will carry the rest of my life.
I love you and will miss calling you,
Enie Thomas ,