Thomas, James Patrick
1961 – 2017

Mr James Patrick Thomas (Jim), of Red Deer, Alberta, died on Thursday November 23, 2017, after an intense battle with cancer. He was 56.

Jim was born on August 22, 1961, to Roger and Ellen Thomas in Burnaby, British Columbia, the
fourth child of five. At the age of thirteen, after the passing of his mother, Jim and his sister Leona moved to Alberta to live with his brother Wesley and wife Norma. After attending Lacombe Composite High School, and working at various jobs, Jim found his calling in the Oilfield Service Industry. He spent his entire career with two companies, first Nowsco and finally Trican Well Services. He was affectionately known as “Gumby” and literally became a legend to his co-workers.

Outside of his work, another love of Jim’s was the “West Country”, west and south of Red Deer. He couldn’t spend enough time out there; motorcycling, quading, and snowmobiling in his younger years and finally just plain camping. Mind you “camping” for Jim had to involve a chainsaw and a huge grill for cooking over the fire!

Always one to “Spiff up his ride”, Jim took to Hotroding after the off-road toys faded away. His forte was to buy a hotrod and take it to the next level. He was an active member of a small but devoted club in Red Deer.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sonja; his stepchildren, Kyle, Krista, Devin and Tyler; his brother, Wes (Norma) Lowery; their children, Bridgette and Raymond; his brother Ken (Midge) Lowery; their children, Shane and Trevor; his sister Leona Thomas; and his deceased sister Mary’s children Matthew and Tasha; along with several great nieces and nephews; as well as many special friends and coworkers. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Elizabeth; his maternal grandmother, Ellen Grace Dowdall; and his sister, Mary Ellen Lowery.

A Celebration of Life will take place December 1st, 2017 at the Red Deer Legion, 2810 Bremner Ave, Red Deer at 1:00pm. Donations can be made to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research and/or the Red Deer Hospice Society. Condolences to Jim’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Arrangements entrusted to Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service – Red Deer – 587-876-4944

• Date : 2017-11-23
• Location : Red Deer, Alberta