Fair 30° F

Home > Archive > Jul 12, 2007

Obituaries
Vern Rowe Thomas

Vern Rowe Thomas, 89, died July 6, 2007 in Cedar City, Utah. Vern was born in Carey, Idaho, May 12, 1918 (Mother's Day) to Genevieve Rowe and Vern Thomas.
He graduated from Paul High School (recently attending his 70-year class reunion). His first mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was in the Eastern States.
Following his mission, he served in the Air Force, piloting a B-17 bomber in the European Theater during World War II. He married Lois Doran on Sept. 3, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple. After the war, he graduated from BYU where he was the first President of Wymount Village (married student housing) and was instrumental in establishing a married students’ ward on campus.
After graduation from BYU, he returned to Idaho to teach high school business classes and run the family farms. When his children were ready to attend college, he decided to obtain his master's degree at BYU, and in 1965, the family moved to St. George where he joined the Dixie College faculty, soon becoming the college Registrar.
After retirement, Vern and Lois served a mission in Madrid, Spain. They resided in St. George for 41 years until moving to Cedar City 7 months ago.
Always active in his community, Vern served as President of the St. George Little League, President of the St. George Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), Chair of the Washington County Republican Party and scout master. As an Eagle Scout, he encouraged his family and others to attain this rank in scouting.
He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served as a bishop, high councilman, temple ordinance worker and in many other positions. He enjoyed spending time at his cabin in the cool mountains and was in the Pine Valley Branch presidency for 12 years.
He enjoyed sports, boating, Pine Valley, reading, traveling to Europe, Central America and Hawaii. He was an example of one who loved his fellow man through kindness, sharing and love.
He is survived by his wife and eight children: Steve (Kris) of Cedar City; Keith (Sherrie) of Las Vegas; Barbara (Steve) of West Valley; Paul (Debra) of Beaver, Utah; Beverly (Craig) of Ephraim, Utah; Maurine (Gary) of Ephraim, Utah; Mark of Beaver, Utah; and  Emily (Brad) of Las Vegas, Nev. He is also survived by 31 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren as well as his sister Rhoda Mae Hanks and sister-in-law Jackie Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Rowene Basinger and Glen Thomas, and great-granddaughters Elle and Emma Thomas.
Services were Tuesday, July 10 at the Sixth Ward Chapel, 400 East and 100 South in St. George. Viewings were Monday, July 9 and Tuesday, July 10. Funeral arrangements were made by Southern Utah Mortuary in Cedar City, Utah. On-line condolences can be sent at www.southernutahmortuary.com.

---