Merle Stephen Thomas

Merle Stephen Thomas

Born in Yuma, Arizona, February 5, 1915, to Charles W. Thomas, Sr. and Vesta Eva Sturges Thomas. Passed away in Lakewood, California June 30, 2016, in his home. Older brother Charles W. Thomas, Jr. was born in Long Beach, California in 1912 (deceased 1995). The Thomas family lived in Yuma until 1921 when they moved to Long Beach, California. Merle

graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in 1933, the “earthquake class.”

After graduation, he moved to Yuma, Arizona to work for his uncle,

Stephen H. Sturges, in farming.

In 1941 he married Neva Baker, also a graduate of Poly High. They moved to Sacramento for Merle’s work in the Army Air Depot there. He worked on crashed aircraft and the flight line, doing mechanical work. Merle transferred to March Air Force Base at Riverside to work as a propeller mechanic. He flew with test pilots in defective aircraft to diagnose the

problem, as well as planes after repairs. He never had to use his parachute.

When the war ended, propellers “were out, jets were in.” Merle and Neva returned to Yuma for Merle to run his uncle’s custom farming operation, becoming ranch foreman.

He bought farms on his own and farmed in the Yuma area until retirement in 1966 and moving to Lakewood, California.

Neva and Merle travelled extensively – US, Europe and Canada. Neva passed away in 1991 after 50 years of marriage.

Merle went to the airport at Long Beach and learned to fly in private planes, completing 500 hours of flight time. For his 80th and 82nd birthdays, he completed tandem parachute jumps.

He continued his travels, several times with Neva’s brother, Glen. Travels were to the US, Europe, Central and South America. A memorable trip was 1400 miles up the Amazon River.

In 1997, Merle married LeVona Ay, a lovely lady he and Neva had known through Eastern Star for 25 years. LeVona and Merle traveled to Paris, other European destinations, including a memorable helicopter ride over the Matterhorn and Swiss Alps.

LeVona passed away in 2010 after 13 years of marriage.

Merle was active in several fraternal organizations for many years. Yuma Masonic Lodge #17, Lakewood Masonic Lodge #728, Long Beach Scottish Rite, El Bekal Shrine, and Bellflower/Long Beach BPO Elks #888.

Arrangements by Luyben Family Dilday Mortuary in Lakewood, California. Viewing will be Wednesday, July 6, 2pm to 4pm at Luyben-Dilday, 5161 Arbor Road, Long Beach, CA. Interment will be at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, California. A celebration of Merle's life will be held later in July.

Donations in Merle's honor can be made to a charity of your choice, or to one of the fraternal organizations where he was a member. Acknowledgements can be sent to Janie Williams, 6454 Los Santos Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815.

He is survived by two nieces, Charlotte Thomas and Laura Seifried of Arizona, and many, many good friends.

He was a gentleman in all senses of that word.