November 2, 1940 – July 6, 2020
Robert J. Thomas, 79, of Mandan, ND passed away July 6, 2020 at Missouri Slope Care Center in Bismarck, ND.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mandan with Rev. Frank Schuster as celebrant. Inurnment was at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery on July 13.
Robert J. Thomas was born November 2, 1940 to Albert and Katherine (Schell) Thomas in Mobridge. He attended grade school at Trail City and graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1958.
Robert was united in marriage to Theresa Leingang on June 13, 1964 at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Selfridge, ND.
Robert was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1963. He started working for Farmers Union in Selfridge as a mechanic and delivered fuel. Later, he worked for Raymond Ford/Norby-Rath as the parts department manager. He was very devoted to his job until a back injury no longer allowed him to work.
One thing that was very important to Robert was his family. He was a very devoted husband, father, and grandfather. A favorite memory of the grandchildren was him sharing stories of all his shenanigans as a young boy. He loved cooking, gardening, and camping. One of his greatest hobbies was his love for old cars, especially Fords, which led to his wonderful collection of diecast cars. He liked tinkering around in the garage building things, traveling with Theresa on bus tours and going to the car races.
Robert will be deeply missed by daughters, Robin (Ken) Axtmann of Huron and Rachelle (Scott) Thompson of West Fargo, ND; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Glenda Thomas, Maggie Schlosser, Florence Leingang, and Paula Leingang; brothers-in-law Lucas Leingang and Robert Leingang and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Katherine Thomas; stepfather Tony Leintz; wife Theresa (Leingang) Thomas; brother Richard Thomas; and brothers-in-law Tom Schlosser and Leonard Leingang.