Share Philip J. Thomas's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Select your format and elements to print
IN LOVING MEMORY OF Philip J. Thomas
Philip J.
Thomas
Jan 24, 1932 — Nov 1, 2016
Philip J. Thomas' Obituary
Philip Joseph Thomas, 84 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 8:00 pm Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the Iowa City VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa. He was born January 24, 1932 in Fort Madison, a son of Ellsworth and Elizabeth (Worland) Thomas. Many people referred to him as "Dode" because when he was born his older brother, Dan, couldn't pronounce Philip.
Phil attended St. Joseph High School in Fort Madison and later Lane Tech in Chicago. He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and served during the Korean War. He was a boxer while he was a Marine in the service. He attended Saint Ambrose University for 2 ½ years. He was a member of the Steel Workers Union. He was a steel worker in Houston, Texas, where he helped build the Houston Astrodome. He worked as a steel worker in Kansas City where he met his future wife Janice. He married Janice Hellman in Houghton, Iowa, they had three children: Joe, Jennifer, and Suzanna. He and his wife, Janice, opened Interiors by Philip in October 1968. After retiring from Interiors by Philip he worked at the Army Ammunition Plant. One of Phil's proudest accomplishments was to quit drinking and smoking on the day before St. Patrick's Day in 1972. He enjoyed watching sports and was a Philadelphia Phillies baseball fan. He liked Notre Dame and Boston College football, and rooted for the both the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes.
He is survived by his son, Joe Thomas, of Fort Madison; one daughter, Suzanna (Kelly) Kirkham, of Gilbert, Arizona; two brothers, Daniel (Claire) Thomas, of Phoenix, Arizona and Frederick (Kathren) Thomas, of Scottsdale, Arizona; two grandchildren, Juliet and Luke Paris; nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Jennifer Thomas, one brother David Thomas, and one sister Elizabeth Ann Thomas.
Per his wishes, his body has been cremated. Private services will be held at a later date with burial at Gethsemane Cemetery, Fort Madison. A memorial has been established for PAWS animal shelter or the VA Medical Center. Barr Memorial Chapel and Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.
Phil attended St. Joseph High School in Fort Madison and later Lane Tech in Chicago. He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and served during the Korean War. He was a boxer while he was a Marine in the service. He attended Saint Ambrose University for 2 ½ years. He was a member of the Steel Workers Union. He was a steel worker in Houston, Texas, where he helped build the Houston Astrodome. He worked as a steel worker in Kansas City where he met his future wife Janice. He married Janice Hellman in Houghton, Iowa, they had three children: Joe, Jennifer, and Suzanna. He and his wife, Janice, opened Interiors by Philip in October 1968. After retiring from Interiors by Philip he worked at the Army Ammunition Plant. One of Phil's proudest accomplishments was to quit drinking and smoking on the day before St. Patrick's Day in 1972. He enjoyed watching sports and was a Philadelphia Phillies baseball fan. He liked Notre Dame and Boston College football, and rooted for the both the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes.
He is survived by his son, Joe Thomas, of Fort Madison; one daughter, Suzanna (Kelly) Kirkham, of Gilbert, Arizona; two brothers, Daniel (Claire) Thomas, of Phoenix, Arizona and Frederick (Kathren) Thomas, of Scottsdale, Arizona; two grandchildren, Juliet and Luke Paris; nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Jennifer Thomas, one brother David Thomas, and one sister Elizabeth Ann Thomas.
Per his wishes, his body has been cremated. Private services will be held at a later date with burial at Gethsemane Cemetery, Fort Madison. A memorial has been established for PAWS animal shelter or the VA Medical Center. Barr Memorial Chapel and Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.
To send flowers in memory, please visit our flower store.
Philip J. Thomas' Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors