John A. Thomas

John Alexander Thomas, born in Duluth, Minnesota on February 22, 1932 to John A. and Borghild Thomas; released from the ravages of Parkinson's Disease on June 27, 2013. He managed his disease for the past seven years with humor and patience that was characteristic for him but rare in this world.

John was an avid, life-long outdoorsman and athlete. He learned to ice-skate and ski at a young age and added throughout his life skills in tennis, golf, and handball. He played hockey for the University of Minnesota at Duluth; this was before helmets were considered necessary equipment, yet he managed to graduate with all of his teeth still intact. After transferring to Minneapolis and obtaining his bachelor's degree, he served in the military during the Korean conflict. Once honorably discharged from the Navy as a Lt JG, he obtained his master's degree in geology from the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis.

John loved to hike and camp, and this served him well in his career as a geologist. He and the love of his life, his wife Marlene, moved to Climax, Colorado in 1960 for his work with Climax Molybdenum Company and then Amax Exploration. From Littleton they moved to Colorado Springs in 2010. He was a staunch Broncos fan and just as avidly supported the Avalanche when they came to town. He continued his appreciation for the outdoors after he retired, hiking 14-ers for the joy of it and making an annual canoeing trip to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Canada. His keen eye and sense of composition on those adventures is reflected in his award-winning photography.

His was a curious mind that never tired of learning. He held himself to such high standards that those around him strove to do their best, and his personal and professional ethics are legendary.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marlene; son John and wife Maria Maribel (John and Brian); daughter Julia and husband Jeff Fishburn (Alex, Laura, and Tate); daughter Laura and husband William Nelson (Bonnie, Sarah, and Kathleen), and son Jason (Isabelle).

His absence leaves a void. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, a memorial gift to the Friends of the Boundary Waters, Suite 290, 401 North Third Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1475 would be greatly appreciated.