Gene was born just after midnight on the 24th of November, 1941, at Price, Utah, but his birth was recorded as being November 23rd. His birthday was celebrated every year on the 23rd. His parents were Leland Maxwell Waugh Thomas and Lucile Mangum Litizzette Thomas.
Gene married Joy Diane Madsen on March, 14, 1970, in Provo, Utah. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in March, 2020.
Gene graduated from Cyprus High School in 1960, and attended college at the Salt Lake Trade School, and the University of Utah. He studied drafting, among other things. He worked for Grand Central, Kennecott, and finally joined the Utah Army National Guard. He worked there on the electrical systems of helicopters — Hueys, Cobras, Blackhawks, and Apaches — specialized in battery systems. He was assigned to two units in his lengthy career with the National Guard: 115th Engineers and the 1250th Medivac. He was also a major with the Utah Civil Air Patrol and was involved with that organization for many years. Gene very much loved to study history, particularly military history. He was a member of the LDS Holladay South Stake.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leland and Lucile; wife, Joy; brother-in-law, Jack; niece, Jeanne; and beloved grandson, Kai. He is survived by his children, Matthew, Jennifer, and James; grandchildren, Aesher (Stephen), Kona (Maddie), and Malia; brother-in-law, Gary; sister-in-law, Cornelia; and nieces and nephews, William, Russell, Kathryn, and Jonathan Joseph.
There will be a service to remember the life of Gene on Thursday, March, 16, 2023, at the LDS ward house in Holladay, Utah (2625 E Milo Way), from 6 to 8 P.M.
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