Gary E. Thomas

Gary Eldon Thomas, born on November 26, 1933, passed away on October 6, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. Gary was born in Garretson, South Dakota to Arthur B Thomas and his wife Anne Thomas. Gary’s childhood was very nomadic, as his parents owned the Art B Thomas Shows. The carnival was an integral part of his childhood. Gary always loved the outdoors, whether he was hunting, fishing or crabbing.

He had a natural curiosity that made him look at nature and science together. He liked to figure out how things worked. Gary graduated from Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, Ca in 1952. He attended Long Beach City College, where he met his future wife, he got his bachelor's degree in 1960 from Cal State University and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1965. His first position after graduation was at Aurora Dog & Cat, which brought him and family to the Seattle area. From 1968 until his retirement in1997, he was a Partner at Richmond Highlands Veterinary Hospital. He loved animals and had a multitude of pets over the years. This love was shared with his children and grandchildren.

Gary married Margaret Hardie on April 10, 1954, in Long Beach, California. They worked the carnival for a couple of seasons, but then settled in Long Beach, where they welcomed their sons, David Arthur, in October of 1956, and Randall Scott in November of 1957. Their daughter Gayle was born in Albany, Oregon in September of 1964, while Gary was doing an externship while still in school. Gary and family had lots of adventures, including rebuilding a cabin on Similk Bay outside of Anacortes. Gary and Margaret divorced after 23 years of marriage.

Gary and Carol Cummings formalized their relationship in December of 1985. The two of them enjoyed family, friends, and especially the Gourmet Club which they belonged to for many years. They loved to travel around the world, particularly during the cold and wet months of the Pacific Northwest. They shared this passion with Carol’s children, Jason Cummings, and Mikel (Cummings) O’Brien. You would find them doing back-to-back cruises just to stay in the sunshine and warmth. They enjoyed their years together, until Carol’s sudden death in April of 2019.

Gary is preceded in death, by his parents, his first wife Margaret McCulloch, Carol Cummings, his Aunts and Uncles, as well as cousins and one nephew. Surviving him are his children: David Thomas (Becky), Randall Thomas, Gayle Thomas (Edward Wurtz), Mikel O’Brien (Paul), Jason Cummings (Kim), grandchildren: Illsa Bell (Steven), Esther Bowman, Gina Bowman, Jason Thomas, Joshua Cummings, Gabby Cummings, Kellen O’Brien, Connor O’Brien, great grandchildren: Joseph Bowman and Malachi Bell.

A Celebration of Gary’s life will be held at a future date.