Richard Thomas

Richard D. Thomas, 49, of Franklin Twp., Greene Co., Pa. and formerly of Sycamore and Rogersville, died at 2:17 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2005 in the Greene County Memorial Hospital emergency room. Mr. Thomas had been in failing health for the past two years but his death was unexpected. He was born June 9, 1956 in Waynesburg, Pa. a son of Ruby Rosena Chedester Thomas Fox of Waynesburg and the late Dewey Thomas and had resided in the White's Ridge area since May 2003.Mr. Thomas was a veteran of the Viet Nam war where he served in the US Army as a Private Second Class with B Co.124th Mtc. Bn 2d Armd Div FORSCOM and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Expert (Rifle) and Sharpshooter (Grenade) Badges.He was a former employee with Firestone Tires in California, Keystone Oil and Gas in Houston, Pa.; West Greene Maintenance and Youth Development Center in Waynesburg. He was owner and operator of Thomas Small Engine Repair most of his working life.Mr. Thomas was a life member of D.A.V. Post #123 and was a member of American Legion Post #330 and a former member of V.F.W. Post #4793, all of Waynesburg. He enjoyed shooting rifles and pistols, building birdhouses, feeding and watching hummingbirds. Surviving in addition to his mother are his companion, Donna Lorraine Brown with whom he had shared his home since 1994; two daughters, Samantha Jo Thomas of Alta, Iowa and Miah Lynn Thomas of Spraggs, Pa.; one sister, Norma Jean wife of Warren Wise of Waynesburg; one step brother, Gary Eugene Fox of Mt. Morris; two step sisters, Donna May Ratlowski of Waynesburg, Debrah wife of John Sanko of Cleveland, Ohio; several nieces and nephews.Deceased in addition to father are sister, Betty Louise Thomas who died in infancy, one half sister, Mildred Toland; three half brothers, Albert, Edward and Kenneth Thomas; his stepfather, Donald Fox.