Ralph William Thomas

June 20, 1927 - July 15, 2010

Ralph William Thomas Obituary (Age 83) Ralph "Bappa" passed away July 15, 2010. He was a world traveler, car enthusiast, talented handyman, patron of the arts, and beloved patriarch. His favorite pastime was debating the issues of the day. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 32 years, Mary Ann Sanger. Ralph was born on June 20, 1927 in Newport, WA to William Henry "Harry" and Mabel Thomas. At sixteen he started working for the railroad in Hillyard, moving on to service station and tire store ownership and from there to the career and ownership of a contracting and cabinetry business prior to retirement. Ralph and Mary Ann traveled the world and he justified the expense of his travels by reciting a line of William Cowper's poem, "How much a dunce that has been sent to roam, excels a dunce that has been kept at home." In retirement, his avocations of travel, hobby shop, properties, entertaining, antique cars, and the HASSIE Club kept him anything but idle. He even organized a family trip to Kootenay Lake, Mary Ann's favorite place in British Columbia, earlier this summer. Ralph is survived by siblings, Floyd Thomas and Thelma Kissell; his children Ralph (Billie) Thomas, Linda (Bill) Nelson, and Mark (Linda) Thomas, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Contributions in memory of Ralph Thomas may be made to Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation, PO Box 6000 - MS 1005, Spokane WA 99217-6000. Please indicate that the gift should be applied to the Mary Ann Sanger and Ralph Thomas Academic Work Scholarship. If you have questions please call 434-5123. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 1st at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. ******************* Ralph William Thomas Personal History as of June 25, 2005 I was born in the big city of Newport, Washington on June 20, 1927. My mother shared a room at the Newport Hospital with Claude Blanchard?s wife. (Claude Blanchard?s father was who the town of Blanchard was named after). It was a 2-week ordeal for my mother who stayed in the hospital for as many days. That caused her to say, ?no more babies,? but 3/12 years later she had my twin siblings, Thelma and Floyd. I spent the first couple years of my life ?fighting? across the fence with Chic Scholz. He lived next door (less than eight feet away) in Gasoline Alley, Washington. (Mail route: Blanchard, Washington) Then my family moved to our 130 acre farm just 15 miles from Grandma and Grandpa Strange, and 28 miles north of Spokane. I lived on that farm for the next 13 years of my life. As the oldest child, I worked on the farm. But, I had lots of time to wander and explore over the 130 acres. When I was about 11 I discovered a little, tiny spring at the very edge of our property and digging it out with my hands I got a small stream of water. Up until then, water was a big problem on our property. Finding that spring allowed us water so my brother and I dammed it up in 3 places, so we had 3 ponds for our 8-10 cattle. I liked school and even earned certificates of recognition for never being absent or tardy in the first and fifth grades. I had to walk one mile to school when I was in the first grade. When I turned 12 I helped milk the cows every morning and evening. When I was 15 we moved to Spokane because my dad?s legs were giving up on him. He got a job as a shipping clerk for Marschal Wells Hardware Company. We moved to 2521 East Wellesley. While attending John R. Rogers High School I got a job at age 16 first as a laborer, then as a machinest helper on the Great Northern Railway (now Burlington Northern) which operated out of the Hillyard Roundhouse. I filled sand domes on the engines, oiled them, filled the fuel oil tanks, filled the water tanks on the locomotive tenders and was an engine watchman. My duties depended on who didn?t show up for work. I even ran the turntable some nights. After graduation I went to work for BG Ewing Paper Company driving delivery truck. I liked learning about the city of Spokane, but after about 3 weeks expecting to go in the service any day, I and 4 other guy friends went out to Newman Lake to have a week long party. We were waiting for the draft and I accidentally got afire on July 2, 1945. (editors note: Ralph was too embarrassed to elaborate on ?the fire incident?. Editor suspects alcohol, cigarettes, women and the brashness of youth) The army did not want anything to do with me while I was recovering and the war ended just shortly after this incident. While I was recovering, I walked for exercise. I met Johnny Evans in a Chevron Service Station business in Hillyard. I worked for him for almost 3 years. He was a friend and mentor and influenced my career decisions. I met Frieda Inman in Deer Park, Washington on the street in front of a restaurant. Two weeks later I took her to a dance. We dated for a year or so, then married on June 22, 1946. My oldest son, Ralph was born December 8, 1948. My middle child, Linda, was born August 15, 1950. My youngest son, Mark, was born March 15, 1954 (the last day that March 15 was income tax day). I had learned about cars working with Johnny Evans, and I was awarded a Phillips 66 Service Station of my own located on Sycamore and Sprague in Spokane, Washington. I was not a successful operator because the company built a new service station just 6 blocks down the street, and they spent all of their advertising money on that location. From that time, I had various jobs including working in the cabinet business for a short time, working at the Mead Aluminum Plant punching pots and driving crane for 1 ? years. I then worked for OK Rubber Welders for 1 1/2 years, then I had a tire store for 4-5 years until it burned down. Then I went to work for KOP Construction in the cabinet shop. Then my brother Floyd and I went in to business together for a short time. That didn?t work, so I pulled out of that business, and went in to the cabinet business for myself, until I retired at age 62. My first date with Mary Ann was March 14, 1977. We have been together ever since! Since retiring, I have busied myself in my hobby shop where I play with my toys; old cars, machinery and tractors. In later life, I bought various properties and sold them. I am now active in the HASSIE antique auto club and take pride in driving our 1959 Morris Minor and our 1974 Jensen Healy convertible to various events. I have been able to travel far and wide with Mary Ann. My last international trip was to Scandinavia and Russia at age 78 where we cruised flew to London and cruised the Baltic. I justify my travel expenditures by reciting Dowd?s poem, ?How the dunce who is sent to roam, excels the dunce who is kept at home?. We have a rich and full life of family, friends and continuing to learn. ******************* Ralph?s answers to James Lipton?s (modified) interview questions June, 2005 1. Most favorite word? ?Great? (As in, ?How are you? I am great!?) 2. Least favorite words? ?Ok, I guess? (As in, ?I?m ok, I guess?) 3. What turns you on? Happy people. 4. What turns you off? People complaining about their aches & pains. 5. What sound or noise do you love? Machinery when it is working. 6. What sound or noise do you hate? Any machine that?s not working well. 7. What is your favorite cuss word? Goddammit. 8. What profession, other than your own, would you have liked to attempt? Set designs for theaters. 9. What profession, other than your own would you not want? Any confined desk job. 10. If heaven exists, what would you like God to say when you are at the Pearly Gates? Welcome. ************************** Other questions of Mary Ann?s choosing: June 2005 1. What is your proudest achievement? Being the father of 3 great kids who produced equally fine grandchildren and great grand children. 2. What 3 character traits do you most value? a.Good Work Ethic b.Integrity c.Positive Attitude (Smile and the world smiles with you) 3.What is your favorite USA city? Why? a.Boston, rich with history & good museums 4.What is your favorite world city? Why? a.London, theater 5.Which museum should everyone see? a.Metropolitan Museum in New York City 6.What is your most memorable lunch? Sharing home made egg salad sandwiches and a Toblerone Chocolate Bar with a young Irish couple while sitting on the deck of the ship as we crossed the English Channel on our first trip to Europe in 1984. 7.What celebrity should play you in a movie? a.Jimmy Stewart 8.You are alone on an island for 3 months. What books will you bring? a.The Decameron b.Robinson Crusoe 9.What world figures would you invite to a dinner party of eight, (living or not) excluding yourself? a.Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, Condeleza Rice, Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Benjamin Franklin, Agatha Christie, and Henry Ford. 10.What is your favorite movie? a.The Quiet Man 11.What are your favorite TV shows? a.Inspector Morse, Mash, As Time Goes By Finish this sentence: 12.Everyone should: Study the cause and effect of economics. ********************* THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM OF RALPH WILLIAM THOMAS (Politically Incorrect Version) June 2005 The truth doesn't always help the story He had more guts than brains He was diddled by the dangling dong of destiny This is the best stuff I ever flapped a lip over The best time to prune is when the knife is sharp Tomorrow Sunday? All day? Unless it rains? I wish I had a minute to pick your brain It was the best sleep I've had in a month of Sundays She looked like she'd been rode hard and put away wet! Let's farmer this block! (Put your foot on the gas) . . .It won't get any greener! If you're gonna homestead that spot ya better put a fence around it. It's pretty tough to pick peaches in a lemon grove If everything else fails, read the directions (Referring to a smashed insect)...He'll never have the guts to do that again! Like the old lady said, "Sonny, if you haven't tried it, don't knock it!" Save the pieces (when something drops) It's slower than the second coming of Christ Speak up son, you're among friends Do what you do, do well! There may be snow on the roof, but there?s fire in the furnace! It?s slicker than snot on a kids upper lip! Only one of ?em had brains enough to pound sand in a rat hole with written instructions Use the right tool, and the job is half done This channel has more commercials than Carter has little liver pills. It?s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick! Shoot Luke, you got the Gun I think she is so shallow you would only need 3 inches to plumb her depths. Stupidity never recognizes itself. ?Reveal your faith by confident submission to God?s plan to bring change to your life.?