John Thomas Obituary

Weslaco - Retired Honorably U.S. Regular Army WWII Veteran Sargeant SFC E-7 John Robert Thomas was born: August 6, 1925 in Jacksonville, Florida; Duvall County

Father: George Earnest Thomas of Madison, Florida (born 9/12/1881- died 10/20/1961-80 years old)

Mother: Sue Pollatie (Pollatty) Thomas of Greenwood, South Carolina- (born 12/30/1898 - died 4/22/1958-59 years old).

Dad graduated from Madison High School in 1943. He was inducted into the U.S Army (11/11/1943) at Blanding, Florida.

As a private saw action in: The Rome Arno Campaign 1/22/1944-9/1944

The Northern Apennines 9/10/1944-4/4/1945

Po Valley 4/5/1945-5/8/1945; Twenty months in action with The 88th Infantry Division, HQ Company, 351st Infantry Regiment.

His MOS was scout/ anti-tank gunner in (1943-1945).

Decorated: with a Purple Heart, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge. Bronze Star (for action on 11/16/1944- volunteered to swim a river as a scout to find the enemy and recon their location and movements). In his military career, he was stationed: Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Germany (1953-1956), Korea (1963-1964). In 1945 He was honorably separated, Returned Home to Madison, Florida and Farmed on his Dad's Dairy Farm. His Dad was 65-66 years old (1946-1947) at the time, and then became a Foreman in His Dad's Milk processing business. His Dad was now 67 years old (1947-1948) at the time. Dad said, "he wasn't cut out to take over, and run the lucrative Dairy business" at the time, His Dad, wanted to retire to his Barber Shop business, to cut hair (work). So, the Dairy Farm/ Business was given to his older Brother, George Earnest Thomas Jr. (born: 3/28/1923 and Died: 11/7/1987 at age 64), A U.S. WWII Marine Corps Veteran. Dad then chose to re-enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 as a MOS scout again, but quickly a became a MOS Athletic Instructor, Physical Reconditioning specialist (until 1953), MOS Army Career Counselor, MOS Para, MOS Personnel and Training Career Counselor in (1966-1968)

Retired honorably Regular Army Sargeant First Class E-7, January 1, 1968 at Fort Hood, Texas. That was My Dad's Service Record History (according to his DD 214s). Dad, was human and made mistakes, He had an Intimate relationship with Virginia Lunn in 1948. Fathered a daughter: Bobbie Jean Thomas (Beroni) born 12/28/1949, both later were estranged. Met his future wife and my future Mom. The love of his life, Mom, was a 20 (born 9/26/1930) year old, first generation Pole, Miss Lucille Leona Szczublewski (birth certificate) between 1949-1950. He told me: "That when He first saw Her, He was going to marry Her." She served in the Women's Army Corps 1948-1951 (she was discharged when she gave birth to me). She became Lucille Leona Thomas when they were married by a Justice of a Peace Pct 1, Guadelupe County; Seguin, Texas, on 6/30/1950. He was devoted to her for the rest of Her/His life. Then it was time for me to come along, I turned out to be his one and only son, and proud of it. John Robert Thomas Jr (namesake); Born 6:55 PM, prematurely, at Brooke Army Hospital, Fort Sam Houston (Birth Certificate says San Antonio, Texas). Dad's World came crashing down on A sunny morning at 8:30 AM at the McAllen Comfort Home (Hospice). The Love of his Life and My Mom left him forever (after living 2 years in pain with Lung and Heart conditions). Final cause of death was a pulmonary embolism: 4/30/2010 (passed away, at age 79). When Dad retired from the U.S. Army January 1,1968, at Fort Hood, Texas; the whole Family moved to Toledo, Ohio. Where Mom and I waited for him since 1968 to join us in Toledo, Ohio, in 1968. Dad bought a new Home in Toledo, Ohio in 1969. Dad would be here for My High School Graduation (1969). In 1969 He entered his first Experience of finding Employment in private business world, without a resume, but he had his Military Records, at the age of 42; He found a position quickly, working at the U.S. Post Office, a starter position: Post Man. Dad at first didn't mind the entry position, but found after time, it was for a younger man. So started looking again. Tried, applying at (where my Mom worked) at Libby Glass, but nothing for him there. Then somehow, He heard about openings with The State of Ohio at the Unemployment Bureau. He applied, tested, and was welcomed with open arms. The environment was a fit like a glove. He found himself working for the government again. Although it was at the State level. He started out as a Claims Examiner Position. Later received a promotion as a Auditor. My Dad decided to retire from The State of Ohio in 1985. He told Mom that She could retire, which she wanted to to do soon after. Dad and Mom decided to move to Arlington, Texas. Sold their Home to My Cousin's Husband in 1986. Dad wanted to get away from the cold and snowy winters. Dad rented a two-bedroom apartment for us, and moved in with me in Arlington, Texas in 1987. Dad and Mom wanted to travel a little and traveled to the East Coast to visit family, then traveled to the West Coast to visit friends. After that they traveled south, they decided to settle in Weslaco, Texas, in 1987. Sold their travel trailer for a manufactured home. This was where they really retired, happily together, for 23 years (Mom died April 30, 2010). In 2008 Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia. He continued to live by himself, from 2010-2016 (6 years). He and Mom, kept his Alzheimer's dementia and medical conditions away from me finding out. Dad's primary Care Physician finally disclosed to me that Dad had Alzheimer's dementia in 2013. Dad lived in the same community and close by. In 2013, Had a ramp installed, instead of stairs, repaired is floors, and had a maid service start visiting to clean once every two weeks. In 2016, Dad bought a 3 bedroom modular Home in the same Community, and we lived together. In 2017, His driving privileges were taken away. He received an ID, no Drivers license. In 2018, Dad was recommended to Move into a Nursing Home, by his primary care Doctor. He was accepted into the Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home in December 2018. In January 2019, Dad moved into Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home, in McAllen, Texas. I would pick him up, so He could visit and stay with me on weekends. visited him every day in 2019. In 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic hit. The Vet Home would no longer allow Dad to leave. Visits were limited and for a shorter time. Visitation requirements were to wear a gown, gloves, mask and a shield. And Covid-19 tests were given before entrance was granted. Dad was fully vaccinated by the Vet Home, except the last booster, and RSV. For the first couple of years, Dad thought he was just visiting, while staying there at first. Dad got Covid-19 and was isolated, late in 2022. His immune system was still working. In 2023 he was moved in to The Mind Care Unit At Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home (just restricted his movement around the facility). He was starting to become a flight risk, and because the Alzheimer's dementia was getting worse. Dad was put in Hospice at Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home in February, 2024. Dad Now entered the final stage of Alzheimer's dementia. Dad continued to recognize me every day, when he was awake in Hospice. Dad and I both got tested positive for Covid-19 on this same day. On that same Day, the administrator called me at 11:15 AM. She told me the nurse had just went in to check on Dad, and found Dad had died, noted the time 11:10 AM in the Hospice Log, for May 2, 2024. The Administrator then told me, she wanted to verify that Dad was truly dead, while we were on the phone. After a short wait, She verified that He had died. Dad died at 11:10 AM, May 2, 2024. Cause of Death was Alzheimer's dementia. Officially on Dad's Death Certificate. My Dad's brain could no longer fight the decease of the brain that killed him. He fought the brain decease 16+ years. The Lord and My Dad did not want me to be with him to see him die. My heart (Mom) and soul (Dad) were now gone forever, But his journey did not stop here at the Vet Home. I arrived an hour later, and said my good bye, alone with My Dad for the last time. The local Funeral home (Hawkins Funeral Home; Weslaco, Texas) was there to collect his remains (notified by Harbor Hospice); funeral insurance and funeral directives Dad gave in 2013. He would be cremated and put in the Urn that Dad bought in 2010 for He and Mom to be buried together, in the Thomas Family plot; Oak Ridge Cemetery; Madison, Florida, in His Will. The Headstone Company (Madison Marble) was contacted and given the Date of Death (Mom's dates were put on in 2013) to be put on the Headstone (a heart between both their names) that Dad purchased and placed in 2013. Dads final journey began 7/29/2024 (Monday), the Urn (Dad&Mom ashes) were taken by their only son's pilgrimage by road trip to Madison, Florida. The Urn (Dad&Moms Ashes) was taken to Dads friend's Funeral Home (Beggs Funeral Home; Madison, Florida), set up in 2013 visit to Madison, Florida, arrival by 8/1/2024 (Thursday), and arrangements Finalized. Friday, 8/2/2024 at 9:30 AM a beautiful morning, Dad and Mom together were buried in The Thomas Family Plot; Oak Ridge Cemetery; Madison, Florida; with full military honors. Taps were played and flag was presented to me, his only son. With Yellow and White Chrysanthemums (symbolizing: goodbye forever) on the grave. The grave site will receive flowers monthly from the local Florist, until I join them. Life will seem so long and empty without your presence and guidance Mom and Dad. I now give My final goodbye, and I will love you forever. I will never forget you. I Thank You, for being the best parents and friends a Son could have ever hoped to have. Dad, I wish I could have been more like you. So, The Epitaph ends here, I hope someday I join them both. I know that there are many of Dad's and Mom's relatives and friends who would like to send flowers, but instead of flowers; both loved Animals; So, Donate to the ASPCA, or your local Veterinary Hospital. Both were not selfish. Or, Donate for medical research of Alzheimer's dementia day or help for education and care of Alzheimer's dementia patients.