John Thomas

John Elmer Thomas, age 86, passed away on December 28, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV. He was born on August 16, 1926 in Los Angeles, CA to William and Juanita Allison Thomas. After high school John served in the United States Navy during World War II. He later worked and retired from Hughes Aircraft Company. He married Denyce Lemon on October 17, 1987 in LaCrescenta, CA. They moved to Henderson, NV in 1991.

John was a tender, generous and talented man that loved doing wood work and was part of the wood carvers club of Henderson. He also enjoyed photography and was a member of the camera club in both Las Vegas and Glendale, CA. He had a love for Ford Mustangs and was a member of the Shelby Auto Group. He cherished his 1966 Fast Back and 1965 Cobra. He was a Life Member of VFW Post 3848 in Henderson, NV and participated in car shows. He enjoyed traveling and traveled a lot with his work with Hughes Aircraft. He loved to watch nature shows. John once owned his own plane and loved to fly. Prior interests included cycling and archery. With his Father working in the Hollywood film industry, John did labor jobs in the studios and saw many of the stars; his family was close to John Wayne, and John spoke of rides to high school by one actor enroute to the studios: Ronald Reagan--until John left for WW II.

He was predeceased by first wife, Evelyn Hunter Thomas in 1961 and a grandson, Nicholas Heitkamp in 2007.

John is survived by his wife Denyce Thomas of Henderson, NV; two daughters Susan (William) Ryburn of California, Cynthia Heitkamp of California; four grandchildren Matthew (Shelby) Ryburn, Kristen (Kevin) Banks, Andrew (Patricia) Heitkamp, Emily (Alex) Kinney; a sister Lomalee (Ken) Rapp and two nephews Thomas Rapp and Steven Rapp. He is also survived by Smith, Johnson and Hunter family nephews, nieces, and Edith Smith, sister of Evelyn, as well as relatives in the Allison family. Memorial services will be held on Monday, January 14, 2013 at 10:00 am at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com

Following the services, a luncheon where fellowship and sharing of memories among attendees at the nearby Boulder Creek Golf Club is planned. Please RSVP by January 7 if attending the luncheon to: RememberingJohnThomas@gmail.com (# and name(s) requested) Or by voice message to: (888)732-7342, press ext. 514