Floyd Waite Thomas

He was born December 8, 1930 in Marquette, Michigan to Floyd Thomas and Ruth Hogan, the fifth of six siblings. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1952, Floyd joined the Army and served his country during the Korean War as an analyst for the Army Security Agency in Germany.

From a young age, Floyd envisioned himself as a journalist and world traveler. He accomplished his goals, starting as the editor of his high school newspaper, and continuing as a staff member of the University of Michigan Daily. He began his professional career as a reporter for the Escanaba Daily Press, followed by reporting stints at the Imperial Valley Press and the San Diego Union. In 1966, Floyd moved to Germany, accompanied by his wife and young daughter, to take a position as a copy editor for the European Stars and Stripes. In 1974 he returned to The San Diego Tribune (which later became The San Diego Union Tribune) and worked there as a copy editor and assistant city editor until he retired at the age of 70. Floyd’s devotion to his profession earned him the respect of his colleagues, who describe him as “one of a kind” for his superior command of the English language and his fluency in Spanish and German. Floyd’s ability to assimilate and speak foreign languages made him the perfect reporter to cover stories about the bullfights in Tijuana (while drinking out of a bota thrown around by the crowd) or the Oktoberfest in Germany (while wearing lederhosen and drinking beer).

Floyd or Opa, as he was called by his grandsons and grandnephews, is survived by his wife Yolanda (Ramirez), daughter Anastasia Thomas McColl, son-in-law John McColl, grandsons David and Daniel McColl, brother Daniel Thomas, sister-in-law Nancy Thomas, and many other members of the Thomas and Ramirez clans who have been there to support him throughout all his endeavors.

A visitation for Floyd will be held Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Pacific Beach – La Jolla Chapel, 4710 Cass Street, San Diego, CA 92109. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 7669 Girard Ave,, La Jolla, CA 92037. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122.