Steven Craig Thomas

1950-2022

Steve Craig Thomas, a light in many people's lives, passed from this mortal plane on Thanksgiving (on November 24th, 2022) after spending time with loved ones, during a late afternoon nap. His heart wore out too soon for such a fine human being, so he's helping out family and friends from the other side now.

Steve was born on October 11th, 1950 to Glenn Albert Thomas and Marjorie Hoover Thomas, in Ottawa, Illinois. His parents moved to Inglewood, California with Steve and his sister Carol, before he turned one. They then moved to Torrance, La Mesa and finally Diamond Bar, where Steve finished high school in Rowland Heights in1968. During his college year of 1969-1970, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve. When that commitment ended, he apprenticed as an electrician with Santa Fe Railways - a career of 14 years.

When he married Donna Chadwick in 1978, she loved the man he was, but also encouraged Steve to continue with education - from evenings at Chaffey College (after a day as an electrician, still) in photography, already his avocation and use for his artistic vision. By 1984, he enrolled at UC Riverside, he finished his B.A. in fine arts by 1986, as an outstanding graduate. Moving to the Bay area of Oakland, he completed his MFA at Mills College in 2 years, moving back to Ontario. He began teaching photography at Chaffey College, San Bernardino State University and Cal State University at Los Angeles.

He continued teaching for a number of years, then segued into a further career that lasted more than 20 years - at California Museum of Photography, Riverside Art Museum and the Ontario Museum of History and Art, until he retired in 2014. Never one to rest on his laurels, Steve worked as a volunteer and contributor at Chaffey Community Art Museum, San Bernardino County's Arts Connection, becoming an arts advocate. He was particularly proud of his work with Art at the (Ontario) Airport and the Zoom webinar, First Artist, begun during COVID-19 which continued until Steve's death.

Everyone who knew Steve Thomas could appreciate his quiet thoroughness, self-effacing yet competent work ethic, complemented by a wicked dry wit.

He is survived by Donna, his wife of 44 years, who is blessed to know and love him thoroughly, as well as his devoted sisters Carol Perez, Gloria Cassidy and Diana Dogero. Also, his loyal 20-year-old cat Inky and 17 1/2-year-old companion cat Chester, both adored Steve and mourn his demise.

Steven Thomas had no children, but is dearly loved and missed by his nieces, nephews and their spouses: Matt Dogero (Eva), Ben Pricer (Melissa), Melissa Glenn (Eric), Mickey Cassidy (Jenni), Frank Pricer (Chrissy), Mariah Bower, Claresa Vaughns, Zane Cassidy (Caryn), Sheelah Peterson (Eric), Jeff Carpenter (Victoria) and Brian Carpenter and 15 great grandnieces and grandnephews.

Steve's life will be celebrated at two functions in the coming month of January, 2023; First at Chaffey Community Museum of Art from 2:00pm - 4:00pm on Saturday, January 7th. Those attending who wish to donate in Steve's memory to CCMA, 217 S. Lemon Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761, are invited to do so. On Sunday, January 8th, from 12 noon to 2:00pm, there will be a second celebration at Steve's church, Diamond Bar United Church Congregational, at 2335 S. Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. All are welcome to commemorate Steve, and any donations to DBUCC will go for the Thomas Peace Garden maintenance, which is strictly optional.