James Edward Thomas

Surviving him are his three sons, Justin, Jayson, Jensen, his sister, Brenda and her children, Gail and Jeff. Also surviving him is Jonnie Rae Thomas, his former wife and mother to his children with whom he remained in regular contact as a good friend. Among those that he deeply missed were Lupe and, above all, his daughter, Jolen Ellen Thomas who passed away just over 3 years ago.

James, best known as "Jimmy", was born on June 12 in Fullerton, California to the proud parents of Tex and Helen Thomas. He arrived in the Gila Valley with his parents at the end of The Great Depression. There was opportunity!

His life from the age of a toddler knee-high took root on a farm where Tex raised cattle and grew alfalfa. He lived a full life in his Jimmy Thomas way never wanting to live anywhere else except right here in Yuma. His curiosity took on my many adventures almost always by camper and pickup or motorhome and off road vehicle. Forever, in company with the most remarkable characters, there was little that could take him by surprise. He might say, now,... I'm not too "hep" on that... and you knew what that meant. Somehow, we gained open minds and open spirits far greater than the enlightened from these unique personalities, not to mention the journeys often taken in the oddest ways.

Without a doubt, he was a character with whom to be reckoned at times. Equally, though, he showed gratitude and generosity in the most original and unexpected ways, not often in words, but more through deeds. He had a knowledge and intuition about the mechanical world that only a few are privileged to. Skill that one rarely sees from another. A natural. If the not normal worked, he had no qualms about doing it. We call it thinking outside of the box today; he would often be far outside of the box, not just in work, but in life. In short, he was one of Yuma's true individuals, unique in so many ways. All of these things and so many more went into his business, JET Sales Company, an institution, of odd sorts, in Yuma.

Today, in every corner of Yuma County and the souls of the many that he has touched everywhere, Jim Thomas remains with us in so many ways, through machinery, friendships, and true Spirit.

Services will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Thursday, February 10th 2022 at 11:00 am. Streaming will be available online via: Johnson Mortuary, James Thomas web area.

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun