12/02/2012
Wallace Daniel Thomas was born June 14, 1921, in Rockland, Michigan. His parents were James Warren and Agnes Carlson Thomas. He lived in Michigan until moving to Knoxville with his parents when he was a young boy.
He grew up in Knoxville where he attended West Ward and later Liberty Country School.
When he was 17 years old he was attending church at the brick building on Robinson street. He was preaching at this church when he led his Mom and Dad to the Lord. To the day they passed away Wally’s parents loved and served God faithfully. Grandpa Thomas preached at Red Rock for many years and both were charter members of the Church of God in Knoxville.
On April 19th, 1942 he was united in marriage to Dora L. Reed in Unionville, Missouri. Wayne and Martha Zeck were their witnesses. To celebrate, dad said he spent his last dime on popcorn 🙂
To this couple, two adorable children were born! Wallace Daniel Thomas, Jr, and Patricia Dee Thomas Kading; he loved his children and they were raised in Knoxville. Wally owned and operated a moving and storage business called Wally’s Wagon.
In the early ’70’s they semi-retired and wintered in Mercedes, Texas. Wally moved to Texas full-time in 1989, three years after his wife Dora passed away.
Dad loved to play golf, card games, go fishing, and hiking. He was a fun man to be around, usually whistling. He loved people, never knew a stranger and he loved life!!
Wally came back to Knoxville almost every year to celebrate his birthday. He was here for his 91st birthday in June. This time he was just admitted to Hospice Care of Central Iowa.
Wally passed away Sunday, December 2, 2012, at West Ridge Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 91.
Those left to honor his memory are his daughter Pat and Tom Kading; grandson Scott and Thane Ridlen Kading and great-grandson Jaxson Thomas Kading, Iowa City; granddaughter Kristin Danielle Kading McDonald and great-granddaughters McKenzie Jo McDonald and Kennedy J McDonald; his sister-in-law Ruth Schlotterback and her children Jim (Sherrie) Reed, Dick (Vicki) Reed, John (Martha) Reed, Nancy (Jack) Kingrey and Rita Crabtree, all from our local area; Karen (George) Thomas Baker, Huntington Beach, Ca. and Jim (Kathy) Thomas, Grays Lake, Illinois, and many great nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his wife Dora (1986); his son Dan (1993); his parents and his brother Jimmy and his wife Margie Baker Thomas.