Obituary of Norman A. Thomas

Colonel Norman A. Thomas passed away quietly at his home in Beavercreek, OR on Nov. 7, 2019 of natural causes. He was 81. Norm was the loving husband of Linda Thomas, loving father to Karen, Mike and the late Ronald Thomas, grandfather to Aron, Allison and Noah Thomas, great grandfather to Avery, Greyson, Ellie and Barrett Thomas and loving brother to Penelope Sims, Debra Nickel, Judy Royce and the late Dale Thomas. Norm was born in Portland, OR in 1938 to Juell Leland Thomas and Margaret Eleanor Wade. His paternal grandmother, Olive Ethel Angelo Thomas, born in December of 1883, came to Oregon by horse and covered wagon when she was a teenager. She walked most of the way. Norm went to various schools in the Portland/Estacada area and graduated from Gervais High. He went to Oregon College of Education then joined the Oregon National Guard in February of 1956. He excelled in his career and after proudly serving his country for over 38 years, retired as Colonel and Chief of Staff of the Oregon National Guard. He was a decorated soldier receiving the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal among other awards. In his retired life, he and Linda traveled throughout Europe, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and the tropics. They became active with horses and Norm began competing in carriage driving events with his beloved horse Phantom. He joined the local carriage driving club, Western Whips & Wheels, and he and Linda built the Thomas Farm and Equestrian Center in Beavercreek. A full military funeral to honor him will be held on Monday, November 18, at 12:30 PM at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd. in Happy Valley, Oregon. Phone 503.273.5250. Attendees should arrive at 12:00 and proceed to the main parking area. A Celebration of Life will be held following the funeral at the Tumwater Ballroom at 211 Tumwater Dr. in Oregon City from 1:30-4:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served.