Ralph J. Thomas

Ralph Jr Thomas, of Fort Collins passed away peacefully Sunday January 27, 2019 with his youngest daughter and granddaughter at his side at 86 years young.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte and Ralph R Thomas, a nephew, Richard Solomon and a grandson Phillip Snyder, brother in law Robert Solomon, as well as a son, Kenny Brown. He is survived by three daughters, three sons, sister and brother, four nephews, three nieces, seventeen grandkids, and twenty-eight great grandkids.

Ralph was born in 1932 in Denver. He, his parents and sister, moved to Fort Collins where he graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1950. He joined the Air Force shortly after graduating where he was an aircraft welder and was stationed in Germany for a time. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, he lived in Casper, Wyoming, briefly where he worked on a survey crew and met his first wife Carolyn. He and Carolyn moved back to Colorado around 1957 where Ralph started his career with Ideal Cement Plant in La Porte, CO. He stayed with the Cement Plant for 38 years, when he retired. In 1962, he married Frances, they were married about 35 years, until their divorce.

As a young man Ralph was a bull rider and trick rider; he won many belt buckles for his bull riding. One of his passions was watching parades. He also enjoyed camping with his family and going to and watching rodeos on tv. He was a member of the American Legion, George Beach Post No. 4, for over 60 years.

His laugh, his toothpick smile, caring attitude, and presence will be sorely missed for many years to come by many who knew and loved him.

Bohlender Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.