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Asa C. Thomas
With his family at his bedside, Asa C. Thomas died peacefully Thursday afternoon, Dec. 15, 2016, at his home in Show Low, Navajo County, Ariz. He was 85 years old. Asa was born Tuesday, July 7, 1931, in Leachville, Mississippi County, Ark., to his parents, the late Asa Crittenden and Hazel Georgia (Selby) Thomas.
Asa was a member of the Leachville High School Graduating Class of 1949. In 1952, Asa enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Luke Air Force Base, west of Phoenix as a crew chief. He served honorably for four years and, in 1956, received his honorable discharge at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Asa went to Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., where he received his degree in mechanical engineering. While attending WSU, he worked as a janitor sweeping many of the buildings on campus. He was grateful for the work as it helped him pay his way through college. Also, during the summer months of his college experience, Asa worked for the Corps of Engineers in Alaska.
Throughout his working career, Asa worked in a few places throughout the country. He worked for Seattle Light (a utilities company) for a period of time. Later, he went to work, several years, for Boeing as an engineer. Asa then went to work for the government H.U.D. (Housing Urban Development) program as one of its engineers. While working for H.U.D., he inspected housing projects in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. Asa was involved in the building of many, many homes for the White Mountain Apache Tribe. His work and expertise also gave him the opportunity to work as a member of a National Disaster Team, helping in the rebuilding of hundreds of buildings in dozens of communities following the wake of tornados, hurricanes and floods. In 1990, Asa retired from H.U.D. and has enjoyed his retirement with his wife of 47 years, Virginia Francis Thomas.
Though they spent many summers in the White Mountains, the couple moved fulltime to Show Low about five years ago. Asa enjoyed all things out-of-doors, and especially loved to go fishing and camping with his family. He loved all his family and when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born, his love for them was magnified, tenfold. They, in return, loved him too. His family will miss his kind and gentle ways but are all comforted in knowing that he is at peace.
Asa is survived by his wife, Virginia F. Thomas of Show Low, Ariz.; two children, Frances (Dale) Faulconer of Vernon, Ariz., Michael (Genyth) Thomas of Tucson, Ariz.; a brother, Harold (Carline) Thomas of Little Rock; a sister, Judy Thomas of Goodyear, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Sarah Basinger, Cole Faulconer, Michael Thomas; eight great-grandchildren, Michelle, Noelle, Preston, Elizabeth, Wyatt, Nathan, Allyson Rose and Bennett. Asa is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Asa was preceded in death by two brothers, James Thomas and Roy Thomas, and by a sister, Lucy Carnell.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. Those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign the online guest book are invited to visit the website at www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.