Joe Thomas

Joseph Thomas, age 92 of Belle Fourche, died Monday, October 14, 2024 at the Monument Health Sturgis Long-Term Care Center.

The funeral service will be held 1pm Monday, October 21, 2024 at the chapel located in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, in Gillette Wyoming. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.

Joseph J. Thomas was born December 31, 1931 to Joe Thomas Sr. and Eva Freeman in rural South Dakota. He attended country school at Patton School in Aurora County. Joe met Elaine Knigge in 1947 and they were married in 1951. To this union, two daughters and a son were born. During the following years, Joe and Elaine lived in rural White Lake SD, Kimball NE, Collbran CO, and in Gillette WY for 30 years with their three children: Pam, Randy, and Crystal. While in Gillette, Joe worked for various oil drilling companies, mainly Exeter and Lewmont, through the years. Joe and Elaine retired in 1993. They bought a small ranch near Carlile WY, where they both worked very hard and enjoyed life for 12 years. They raised horses and llamas and enjoyed wild turkey and deer on their land. Also they raised several barn cats and two dogs. Due to health reasons, they sold the ranch and moved into Belle Fourche SD in 2005. 

Joe is survived by his daughter, Pamela Thomas of Sturgis; son, Randy (Yan) Thomas of Midland TX; son-in-law, Roger Meadows of Pine Haven WY 2 granddaughters, Jamie (Tony) Sinks and Joanna Elaine Thomas; 4 grandsons, Jonathan (Cassie) and Christopher (Madison) Thomas, Adrian Tarter and Robert (Krystal) Thomas; great grandchildren, Bailey and Marshall Sinks, Lincoln Tarter, Abel Thomas, Ezra and Levi Thomas, Emma Thomas; sister, Marlys Thomas of Belle Fourche; and nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Elaine; daughter, Crystal Meadows; and brother, Dwayne Thomas.