Theodore "Ted" Thomas, 79, of West Bend, died Sunday, February 13, 2005 at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center in West Bend.
He was born on March 3, 1925, the youngest of 15 children born to the late James and Catherine (nee Sullivan) Thomas. He graduated from Hurley High School where he earned ten letters in basketball, football and track. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 2 1/2 years and was stationed with the 8th Air Force in England during WWII. He then attended UW-Madison and UW-Superior and earned his Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota - Duluth.
He was united in marriage to Irene Valle on July 31, 1948 in Hurley.
In 1950 he began teaching in Hurley and the following year he took a position at Washburn High School that included teaching physical education, general science and biology along with coaching football, basketball and baseball. He then accepted the principalship at a grade school in Washburn where he also taught some classes and coached 7th and 8th grade basketball. In 1964 Ted and his family moved to West Bend and he became the principal of Barton Elementary School where he served for 21 years until his retirement.
Ted had served as president of ARC of Washington County and was a member of the Hurley Quarterbacks Club. He was also an ardent trout fisherman and golfer.
After retirement, Ted and Irene enjoyed spending winters in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Irene passed away on Dec. 6, 1999.
He is survived by seven children, Michael (Jerolyn) Thomas of Charlotte, NC, Paul (Gloria) Thomas of Tarpon Springs, FL, Jenny (Dick) Smith of West Bend, Kevin (Patti) Thomas of Wellington, FL, Kelly (Eugene) Sanchez of West Bend, Kay Thomas of West Bend, and Tim (fiancAC.e Amy) Thomas of Ypsilanti, MI; 12 grandchildren; a brother, Gordon Thomas of Hurley; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, Patrick Thomas; and 13 brothers and sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend. Rev. Jeffrey Haines will officiate and burial will be in Washington County Memorial Park, West Bend, on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services.
Memorials to the Patrick J. Thomas Scholarship Fund at UW-Washington County are appreciated.