Joseph A. Thomas

Joseph A. Thomas Jr (Poppy) was born on October 22, 1920, and passed into a new chapter of his life on 18 June 2011. Joe was married to his child hood sweetheart June Rowley Thomas for 64 years. She passed in June of 2006. Joes sister Helen passed in 2002, his brother Bill passed in 2004.

Joseph worked for the City of Portland in the Bureau of Maintenance as a Number 3 Operator. He retired after 33 years due to an injury

Joe served in WWII in the European Theater of Operations from 1944 until 28 November 1945. He was with the 90th Division known as the Tough ‘Hombres (special designation) made up the Texas-Oklahoma Division and in March of 1944 was assigned with the Third Army, but attached to First Army. Joseph saw action on D-Day, 6 June 1944 and landed on Omaha Beach. Joe received (2) Purple Hearts in connection with injuries sustained through the battles. Although Joe never like to talk about the war he did share with family the thousands of emaciated prisoners left behind by the SS at Flossenburg concentration Camp.

Joe is survived by his children Jean Bailey, Nancy Jackson, Joseph Thomas III and Lloyd Thomas. Son-in-law’s Leon Bailey, Raymond Jackson; Daughter-in-laws, Roberta Thomas and Yvette Thomas. Joe has 9 grand children, 6 great grandchildren and several great-great grand Children.

Internment will be at Lincoln Park Memorial

Arrangements under the direction of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.