MINERAL POINT – Jack L. Thomas, age 82, of Mineral Point, died late Wednesday evening, June 11, 2008 at Bloomfield Manor Nursing Home, Dodgeville after an extended illness. Jack was born on January 9, 1926 on the home farm in Mineral Point Twp. to Everett and Sophia (Gratz) Thomas. He married Elaine E. Johnson on June 14, 1946 in the Methodist Parsonage, Belmont, and they farmed in the Darlington and Mineral Point areas until moving to the city of Mineral Point in 1957. He worked for Walnut Grove 4x4 Feed Products for 32 years and retired in 1990. Jack was very proud to have served on the Mineral Point Volunteer Fire Department alongside many of his life-long friends for 30 years. Jack served several years as an alderman on the Mineral Point City Council and then as a member of the Iowa County Board of Supervisors. He enjoyed playing slow pitch and bowling and was a member of the Southwest WI Bowlers Association Hall of Fame. Jack was a charter member of the Mineral Point Lions Club and a recipient of the volunteer organization’s highest award, the Melvin Jones Fellowship. He was Sheep Superintendent of the Iowa Co. Fair for over 30 years. Jack loved the outdoors. Some of his most enjoyable times were spent fishing and hunting with his sons, friends, and, Molly, his Labrador Retriever; trailer camping with his wife and friends; and tending his large vegetable and flower gardens.
Jack is survived by four sons: David (Lynda) Thomas and Russell (Sue) Thomas of Madison, Steven (Patti) Thomas of Mineral Point, and Mark (Kelly Gundlach) Thomas of Fitchburg; eight grandchildren: Tristan (Erika) Thomas, Carrie (Steven Wink) Thomas-Wink, and Melissa Thomas; Cheri (Kurt) Grover and Jason (Amanda) Thomas; and Megan (Ryan) Currie, Becky and Adam Thomas; two step-grandchildren: Cortney (Troy) Finley and Katie Wagner; five great-grandchildren: Elsie Thomas, Abbie and Cambrie Wink, and Jack and Hannah Grover; two sisters: Mae Ross of South Haven, MI and Dorothea Iverson of Payson, AZ; a sister-in-law, Carol Thomas of Dodgeville; and a brother-in-law, Harold Johnson of Darlington; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Elaine, on November 6, 2007; an infant daughter; his parents; his brothers, Jerrold and Donald Thomas; a sister-in-law, Eileen Thomas; and brother-in-laws, Jack Ross and Larry Iverson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 16, 2008 at the FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in Mineral Point. Rev. Mary Anne Conklin will officiate. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery at a later date. Friends and relatives may call from 4 pm until 8 pm on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at the GORGEN FUNERAL HOME in Mineral Point, and from 10 am until time of services on Monday at the church.
