Milton N. Thomas passed peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday September 10th, 2024, at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City. Friends and family know he will be enjoying the everlasting peace of green pastures and good horses from a life well lived over a hundred years.
Milton Noah Thomas was born March 5,1924 in Barber County, Kansas to parents Elmer A. Thomas and Mabel L. (Stone) Thomas. Milton and his two brothers grew up on family ranching operation in Barber County. He participated in football, track, National Honor Society and was Class President in high school. After Graduating in 1942 he enrolled at Kansas State University. Events of the war found him and several of his friends enlisting in the army in late 1942. He was soon assigned to what would become the 532nd Engineer Amphibian Regiment - 2nd Engineer Special Brigade. This group Landed on Hollandia, New Guinea and then on to Leyte, in the Philippines. Milton returned home in 1945 as the war ended and married local rancher’s daughter, Verda Lee Berry on May 5, 1946. He returned to KSU to graduate in 1949. He joined the KSU Extension program with his first post to Comanche County, and two years later to Gray County. He particularly enjoyed working with young 4-H’ers and their livestock projects and judged livestock at county fairs throughout western Kansas. In 1960, the Thomas family moved to Garden City where Milton had accepted a position as Agriculture Representative at Fidelity State Bank. He served as Senior VP and Ag Representative, Fidelity State Bank until his retirement in 1990. During that tenure he invested in the community with volunteer work as President, Garden City Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors Beef Empire Days, President, Kansas Association of Bank Agricultural Representatives (KABAR), Member of Rotary and Kiwanis, Organizer & President- Finney County Ranch Team Sorting & Penning Association, founding member Beef Empire Cutting Horse Association, founder of Bluebells Drill Team on horseback. He was a competitor -- he loved his family, his country, and his faith, (horses and rook card games and Dr. Pepper) and we know he is remembering the best days of his life. After an amazing hundred years we can say – ride on to greener pastures!
Milton is proceeded in death by his wife Verda Lee Thomas (Berry) 5/17/2000, a daughter Cheryl Ann, brothers Glenn Thomas, Howard Thomas, his parents Elmer Thomas, and Mabel Thomas.
Survived by two daughters, Bonita McClure, Garden City and Millicent Norman, and husband Mel of Cashion, OK.
Grandchildren: Jamie Pennello and husband Dean of Medicine Park, OK; , Brenna Argo, of Edmond, OK; Jeffrey McClure and wife Beth of Overland Park, KS and Jennifer Zogleman and husband Dustin of Guthrie, OK
Great grandchildren: USAF Major Mattheau Curtis, Wichita, KS; USAF Captain Ryan Curtis, Altus, OK; Alexandria Lacy and husband Brandon, Derby, KS; Brody Argo, & Brock Argo, Edmond, OK; Lotus McClure & Juniper McClure, Overland Park, KS; Grae Zogleman & Gannon Zogleman, Guthrie, OK
Plus, several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and nephews.
The family is grateful for the loving care given by the Epworth Villa Long Term Care and Epworth At Home.
A Funeral Service will be held 1:00 pm. Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Larrison Funeral Home, Medicine Lodge, Kansas with Pastor Von Hunn officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, with military honors by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Miles of Smiles Therapeutic Riding, c/o Larrison Funeral Home, 120 E. Lincoln Ave., Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.
Condolences may be left at www.larrisonmortuary.com.