John Thomas Obituary

1936 -2021

On August 13, 2021 John A. Thomas peacefully passed away at the age of 85 after a seven-year progression with Alzheimer's. John retired to Durango, Colorado 22 years ago and often referred to this corner of the southwest as the most beautiful place in the United States; each day he expressed his appreciation of the towering trees and mountains, the wildlife, the bluest sky, and the brightest stars.

It was in Durango in 2015 John wed Patricia Fichera; they loved and appreciated one another immensely. After just two years as his wife, Pat's role broadened to include the arduous task of care provider. She never wavered and stayed by John's side with patience and loving support taking on all the difficult days, and savoring the good ones.

John was born in Belfast, New York to Sanford and Ida (Ramsey) Thomas on January 8, 1936. Two sisters died previously, Joyce Ensinger, and Sandra Smith, both of New York state. Sue Freiner, his sister, confidant, and best friend, of Houston, Texas, survives.

John is also survived by daughter Deborah (Marc) Miller of Millersburg, OH [soon of Durango], and his son Daniel (Nicky) Thomas of Norman, Oklahoma. Surviving grandchildren include Holly (Darren) Trentacoste, McKenna (Joseph Bukosky) Miller, and Gabriella Thomas, and two great-grandsons, Lucius and Lawson Trentacoste. In addition are two stepsons, Thomas Fichera of Monterey, CA., and Glenn Fichera of Durango, and step-grandson, Brandon Fichera, also of Durango.

His father, Sanford, taught teenage John to fly a Piper J-3 Cub and a Waco-5 in Dansville, New York shaping his path to leave the remote farming county of Allegheny. John often spoke of his appreciation for the people and the destinations that came with flying; it humbled him.

With the encouragement of his favorite high-school teacher, Mr. Churchill, John joined the Air Force in 1956 and later, after training, he was assigned to McGuire AFB in New Jersey.

His family was then moved in 1959 to Hickam AFB at Oahu, Hawaii, where he flew C-54s and C-130s to Vietnam with both supplies and senior Air Force personnel. He finished his Air Force career at California's Travis AFB in 1967 when he accepted a pilot position for United Airlines. Domiciles he served with United included: Washington D.C., Denver, San Francisco, and Cleveland.

Culminating his career with United gave John the utmost satisfaction; he was promoted to B-737-300 Fleet Standards Captain at the airline's Denver headquarters. There, he wrote the instructional manuals for training pilots for 737s in addition to providing flight training and flight checks (for the graduating of pilots) for employment. John told each and every pilot candidate at their final simulator check ride, "You will only pass this evaluation if I feel comfortable putting one of my granddaughters on board your aircraft, and in your care."

John loved to listen to Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, and Eddy Arnold on his home stereo and car radio giving his kids an appreciation for his favorites. Most recently, Brandon "entertained" his step-grandpa with long rides in the car while blaring these artists' tunes along with a mix of 80's hits; John kept the beat.

Other favorites of John included: helping others, playing basketball from high school days through to "old guy days" with Gehm, Knowling, Steimel and Waltman whenever son Dan got them into the WHHS gym. John loved eating burritos at Bayfield's Tequilas, Pat's homemade spaghetti and meatballs and her carrot cake, and tracking the numerous jet trails, as well as the constellations in the Durango sky.

John truly was an optimist who gently guided others to "look up" literally and figuratively. He believed firmly that everything happens for a reason, and that no one succeeds without the help of significant others who are placed in our path. John was one of those individuals whom few people could, or ever will forget. His integrity abounded; he was a man who was genuine, kind, caring, always hard-working, and whose soft-spoken and steady voice earned others' respect. Deb and Dan, his extended family including his dog children (if they could speak), his friends, and co-workers, and wife, Pat, will tell you-- he was easy to like, and easy to love.

A memorial gathering is being planned for fall; instead of flowers, the family requests forwarding a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org, or checks can be mailed to the Alzheimer's Association at: National Capital Area Chapter, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McLean, VA 22102. Memorial donations to your local Humane Society would also be appreciated.