Douglas Robert Thomas

Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Robert Thomas, USA Retired, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2016 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born in Atchison, Kansas on October 20, 1913, the last of five children born to the late Thomas Larkin Thomas and Ida Mae Thomas.

Douglas enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in 1932. He graduated from High School in 1933 in Atchison, Kansas. He married Helen Noreen Spann on August 3, 1936.

Douglas was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, July 21, 1940 and was ordered to active duty with the 35th Division on December 23rd, 1940, during the prewar mobilization. He landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, during the build-up. Douglas served with the 35th Division 137th Infantry in Europe during WW II as a Battalion and Regimental Staff Officer. He was wounded in action during the Battle of St. Lo. His Division was assigned to both the First and Third Armies for the duration of the war in Europe.

After WW II he remained in military service and served during the Occupation of Japan. He was assigned to the 45th Division and served as a Battalion and Regimental Staff Officer and Battalion Commander during the Korean conflict and was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor in battle. He retired from the Army on March 1, 1966 after 33 years of active service.

Following his retirement, Douglas accepted employment with Uniroyal Inc., and worked as Assistant Manager of the Explosive Department and Safety Superintendent during the early stages of the Vietnam conflict. When he went into full retirement, Douglas and his wife Helen moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado spending time with their hobbies of golf, hunting and fishing. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Douglas was a loving and devoted husband, father and friend. He leaves behind his son Michael Robert Thomas, his daughter, Patricia Ann Bauman and her husband Thomas Michael Bauman, his grandsons Carl Russell Gibbs, Joseph Morgan Thomas and Max August Thomas, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends that cherish and honor his memory.

Visitation takes place Thursday, April 14 from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO. A Service Celebrating his life will be held Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:00 A.M at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, followed by a memorial celebration at Elks Lodge #309. Burial will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado on Monday, April 18th at 11:30 AM.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.