John Lewis Thomas

Everyone's "best friend," John Lewis Thomas, 62, passed away unexpectedly on June 8, 2015. John was truly the "best" in every sense of the word, and will be greatly missed. John was born in Patterson, California to Antonio "Tony" and Marie Thomas on March 4, 1953, the youngest of their 6 children. Turlock was home to John all of his life, specifically the tight-knit Mountain View community, west of town. From a young age, John worked along side his siblings and parents on the family dairy, forever cementing his roots on Bradbury and Blaker Roads. John and the Thomas siblings' strong bond was certainly forged through the steadfast strength of their mother, Marie, who loved her children to the moon and back. From Marie, John learned to be the rock for those he loved. To that end, lives breathed easier because John Thomas lived, and he was "the best" at what is most important, including the virtues of generosity, resiliency, positivity, patience, mercy and loyalty. John graduated from both Chatom Elementary School and Turlock High School. John emerged as an athlete during these formative years and was always proud to have been on the undefeated 1970 Turlock High School varsity football team. After high school, John turned his full attention to the family dairy, and became known for his farming. When John wasn't working, he found enjoyment with friends and family in hunting, bowling, tag football, boating, and going to the dunes. In 1988, John married Rhonda Hamness, and they were at their "best" counting on each other through thick and thin. John and Rhonda were also blessed with son Vincent "Vinny" and daughter Miranda. John was proud of his family, and at any given moment he could be overheard telling stories about Rhonda, Vinny or Miranda's latest happenings. Since John, or "Johnson" was indeed the "best" at friendship, his social life boasted many family members and friends who frequented his home for coffee and conversation, themed parties, the sunset club and unexpected adventures. Everyone will miss his daily uniform of a t-shirt, jeans, and stained baseball cap, his humor, wisdom, practical jokes, road trips, storytelling, daily lunches, quests for a good bargain, and his missions of goodwill to help those in need. A man is counted rich by the things he has that money can't buy, so it is clear that John Thomas' heart of gold made his life and the lives of those he loved all the richer. Those who loved him "the best" will forever hold their memories of John close in heart. John is survived by his wife Rhonda; children Vinny and Miranda; and siblings, Beverly Rodrigues of Ventura; Tony Thomas of Los Banos; Bonnie (Dennis) Ricardo of Tempe, Arizona; and Isabelle Thomas of Turlock. John also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, and of course, his many "best" friends, young and old. John was preceded in death by parents, Tony and Marie Thomas and his sister, Sandra Thomas Afonso. On Monday, June 15, a visitation (4 to 6 p.m.) and recitation of the Rosary (6 p.m.) will be held at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Road, Turlock. A funeral mass will be said on Tuesday, June 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 S. Walnut Road, Turlock, with interment following at Turlock Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital online at stjude.org or by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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John Lewis Thomas

March 4, 1953 - June 8, 2015