Raymond Coolidge Thomas

Ray was born on May 22, 1925 in Mountain Air, New Mexico, one of four children born to Robert Thomas and Pearl Chisholm. Ray was drafted into the United States Navy at the age of 18 and proudly served his country during WWII.

Ray and his beautiful wife, Frances (Melton) relocated from Texas to Colorado in 1956. In 1965, they moved to Lyons, where they resided until after the great flood in 2013. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Ray Carol, Barry Don, and Geneva.

Ray and Frances operated a small grocery store on the corner of highway 287 in Berthoud called Ray’s Ideal Spot. Ray also worked as a sheet rock and a building contractor for the surrounding Boulder County area and held other jobs including working at Horizon Park Cleaners in Longmont with Frances. He eventually “retired”. That didn’t last long and after a few months of leisure, Ray came to the conclusion that retirement wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. He needed something to keep him busy, so he started work at Ted’s Hardware store in Lyons (later called Clark’s Hardware Store). After several years there, he finally retired, again, but still came in and helped out when the need arose.

Ray will be remembered as good man with great character. He was a man of great faith who loved his family dearly. He will be missed.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Frances Thomas, and his son Barry Don “Donnie” Thomas, as well as his parents Robert and Pearl Thomas, brother Darvin Thomas, sisters Gladys Sanders and Evelyn Halland, and by his son in law, Andy Sabados. He is survived by his son Ray Carol Thomas (Bea), daughter Geneva P. Sabados, grandson Randell Curtis Thomas, and great-grandchildren Brandon Case Thomas and Kylie Marie Thomas.

A Visitation was held for Ray on Friday September 2, 2022 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel in Longmont, Colorado, followed by his Memorial Service. Ray was laid to rest at Lyons Cemetery in Lyons, Colorado. A Reception took place after at Rogers Hall in Lyons, Colorado. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com for the Thomas family.