Dad, I remember the many days up at cat lake where we all used to sit around the camp fire and talk about life. We would roast marshmallows and try to stay close to the fire so we wouldn't get bit by mosquitoes. You would make us kids laugh with your hilarious jokes. Dad, you always had impeccable timing when it came to jokes. 

My dad was a very intelligent man. He shared a lot of his dreams with others. He believed that we could reach our potential if only we tried.   Some would say that intelligence is not just something you have or have not; it is a thirst for knowledge. My father had that thirst. He was well read and loved to philosophize about life.  At times he was very serious and other times he made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt.  To tell a great joke you have to pull a person into the story, and most of all you have to have good timing…My dad had both. His timing was flawless!  I believe that he lived with his demons like many of us do. But he lived with passion, and by his own drum.  It was a shame that his life was cut so short. I miss talking to him and I hope I can be even half the man he was.

Love You Dad  

To any and all that have posted tributes on this website only to find them missing later, I apologize. I have no clue why this is. As the administrator of this website I am the only one that is capable of deleting tributes, and I assure you, I have not.  

David I have missed you so much and didn't write on here for awhile ...which you would understand why . You and I have always had that between us ..where just a look and smile we knew.  I think of when we met and we were only kids....When you returned from the Army you told me you thought of me often and decided to find me... I was the girl who ran away when you tried to kiss me..   Luckily you and Rose were working together at the Fishing Rod Factory..you asked her if she knew me and she told you we were best friends....it was Fate when ...you came to my work and we met again and we were  inseparable for the next year.  You asked me to marry you ..and I knew you were the one I would love forever......I remember all the good times we had together on Dearborn....the birth of our kids .....Tina Marie she was your little doll....you reminded me many years later that when I drew a picture of eyes and a smile on my big Tummy  while I was pregnant you  knew how much you loved me. ..David or D.J. as we finally  called our son as it was too hard to call him Dave..you told me I hope the second one has plumbing we laughed so hard....
   David I know it is hard for some people to understand the bond we had even when you and I were both single we were dating or meeting each other in Vegas . I never came home to visit Family without staying with you first on Crooks Rd.....we remained friends always ...you told me the love would always be there....  I remember all the beautiful letters you wrote me....you would play all the songs from Bread for me  and we would dance to Put your Head on my Shoulder....   I am so Happy we had all those beautiful Memories and you will forever be in my Heart .....I am so happy we were able to travel all over the United States...I remember you telling me how much it mean't to you to share this with me... we would have a little fire at night and reminesse ......in closing  I will say you were my Lover my Friend and my Husband  the father of my children......and I know we will be together again someday........Love you Sweetie

I wrote this on March 25, 2013, the Anniversary of David's death. Alas, I couldn't find it on his website. Here it is again,

David G  Thomas was "A Man amongst men," capable of passion in so many ways, in so many things. His five Children, Tina Marie, David John, David Scott, Christopher Mark, and Colette Marie, please take note to follow, each and every one of you, in his footsteps, as he lead you all well and loved you all well.

I have always loved Ralph Waldo Emerson's Epigrams so I would often write one or another and add it to the daily note I packed with David's lunch at 4:30 a.m. every workday morning. David always looked forward to my notes.This is but one of the many Emerson Epigrams I  included with my daily note that I sent with him everyday:

"Lover of all things alive,
 Wonderer at all he meets,
 Wonderer chiefly at himself,
 Who can tell him what he is?"

I can, "A Man amongst men"...Always and Forever.

pt
            
              

When Dad was cremated, we all spread his ashes along the Tobacco River...I pulled out his tag and the number on it is 6900....He passed at 69 years old....My employee number at work is 6900....I wear his flannel jacket to work every day and today, I wore his bandana on my head (he always wore it on his head when he worked on houses)...you are with me always Dad and I really miss you and Love you oh so very much......  I saw so many hawks the day you left us....I see them now every single day and know you are with me.... I Love you!!!

Alecia and I have saved petals from all the flowers we have received from birthdays holidays....today we are going to spread them down the River to remember  him .....I have reflected on the last year and can only say I miss him so much  I cried today  but when the warm tears came down I thought at least we had each other the last 12 years..he was my Husband ..Father of my kids..my Lover and my Best Friend...........noone will ever come close to what we had together........
  The kids and grandkids we talk of him often..look at all the pictures and think about all the special memories we had together ......

I chose this song as the memorial song because of a story I have told many times. When I was very young my Dad took my sister Tina and I, to this movie. I didn't understand why at that time. But later in life I read this book several times over and I finally understood. Our dad always taught us that we could do anything we set our mind to. If we worked hard enough and didn't give up, we could accomplish anything. My father, like Jonathan Livingston Seagull , was a visionary. He had his demons like everyone, but his passion for life shined brighter than the stars. His thirst for knowledge was never ending.  I remember sitting around with my dad and Chris on more than one ocassion  drinking beer  and philosophizing about life. Dad was never the basic pleasantries kind of guy. He always wanted to talk about the deep subjects. I could never understand if in our conversations, he was trying to bring us to to his way of thinking or just get us thinking in general. Regardless, I am so glad that we got a chance to talk about deep issues that affected our lives.   

David and I met when I was only 15....my parents allowed me to have a party and he came with mutual friends...we had a scavenger hunt and he and I were paired up....we traveled up and down 2 streets gathering items..and when we decided to cross behind my house he tried to kiss me ......I was so scared and ran thinking he is to fast for me....a year later after we double dated with friends he went in to the Army ...his Mom signed for him so he could go in early...He went to Germany.  When he returned to the states he got a job at a fishing pole factory..where my best friend worked.  They talked and she told him she went to Avondale...he asked her do you know Janet Morris..she said yes she is my best friend....she told him where I worked and he drove in to the A& W where I was car hopping..in his 58 Chevy convertible..he was slicking his hair back combing it into a duck tail in the back  and a waterfall in front which was in style..he reminded me of James Dean.....He was Hot........ from that day forward we were together....(he told me he never forgot the girl who ran away from him when he tried to kiss me)......

Three Months have gone by and I still feel like I need to go see you..I want to hug and kiss you.......everyday I think of stories of when we were together...you were my first love and probably my last  .Alecia and I talk about you all the time..she misses you so much too......we all do.........when I mow the lawn I remember you mowing the lawn taking breaks by the river on your bench you made..........I sit their now...wishing it was you instead of me...it's so unfair you had to leave so young....I play the music you and I danced together........Thank you for all the beautiful Memories.I will Love you Forever............when you were at the nursing home and I came in and you told the nurse "Here comes my Honey".....It made me feel so good....she was smiling and told me what you said......as you wheeled up to meet me..........someday I want to add more pictures on here........so proud of D.J for setting up this special site for you.........

David, I remember so many of our conversations, especially on Friday nights after work. We'd sit almost nose-to-nose as we discussed philosophy, books we were reading together like "Hanta Yo," "Atlas Shrugged," "Centennial," and so many others, politics (not so much, but sometimes), plans for remodeling whatever house we lived in (Henrydale and then Judy Lane), or the cottage. In spring, on Henrydale, I'd sit on the railroad ties you'd built to terrace the shrubs and plants at the front of our house, drawing charcoal pictures of a Cherokee Indian Brave or of You, my Dearest David, while waiting for you to come home from work. I have those charcoal drawings still. The Cherokee framed along with others I'd drawn. Your picture, so you, so free, wearing your blue chambray shirt and the gold cross around your neck... the rest so elemental of you, is not framed, though I keep it close and always will.

"Come up into the hills, O my love. Return! O lost and by the wind grieved, ghost, come back again, as I first knew you in the timeless valley, where we shall feel ourselves anew, bedded on magic in the month of June. There was a place where all the sun went glistering in your hair, and from the hills could have put a finger on a star. Where is that day melted into one rich noise?"

Thomas Wolfe..."Look Homeward Angel."     

When I was just 6 years old...my Daddy had to leave me and my brother... I remember going outside and wishing on the first bright star....I wished for my Mommy and Daddy to be together again....32 years later, I got my wish! I believe.... I'm so very greatful to be able to call a place "Home" and that's what my Mom and Dad made on Tobacco River....Home! I am so very blessed to have such beautiful parents!  You will not leave again because I know you are with me....I Love you Dad!

So thankful for all the people Family  Friends....the nurses who took care of him at Tendercare...the man who painted our house several times,,,our neighbor and his family...the Army who presented a flag to me ..very loving
 We enjoyed all the pictures of you and your life...all of your adventures 
   We sprinkled your ashes on and in the Tobacco River.tossed petals of flowers .......we knew that is where you would want to be...we will all miss you very much.your smile ..the twinkle in your eye..when you raised the flirty eyebrows.........I'm gonna cry again
every time I think of you ...........I miss you honey bun......I'm glad you are at Peace....... 

Here's to the CRAZY ONES, the MISFITS,
,
the REBELS, the TROUBLEMAKERS,

the round pegs and the square holes.

The ones who see things DIFFERENTLY,

they're not fond of RULES and they have
 
NO RESPECT for the STATUS QUO.

You can QUOTE them, DISAGREE with them,

GLORIFY or VILIFY THEM.

About the only thing YOU CAN'T DO is

IGNORE THEM, because...

They CHANGE THINGS,

They push the Human Race FORWARD

and while so many see them as the

CRAZY ONES, we SEE GENIUS.

Because the people who are CRAZY ENOUGH

to think they can CHANGE THE WORLD

are THE ONES WHO DO IT!

Steve Jobs


David George Thomas was one of the "Crazy Ones."

Pat Thomas

again...AKA, PAT THOMAS

Baby,

"See the curtains hanging in the window
In the evening on a Friday night

A little light a-shining through the window
Let's me know every thing's all right.

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind

See the paper laying on the sidewalk
A little music from the house next door
So I walk up to the doorstep
Through the screen and across the floor
(exactly like Henrydale)

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
 
See the smile a waiting in the kitchen
Food cooking and plates for two (or five or seven)
Feel the arms that reach out to hold me
In the evening when the day is through

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind."

David, of course, you remember the huge mirror you'd hung on the wall next to our bed on Henrydale. I'll never forget what that mirror reflected back to us, and I'll never, ever, ever forget you, Baby. Never.

Though I wasn't allowed to see you as you succumbed to your illness, still, I'll be forever grateful that I talked to you on that last Thursday of your life, telling you how much I love you; how I've never stopped loving you." Your "Hi" to me was almost... almost enough for me, David, my sweet Prince.

Pat Thomas

Don't think of him as gone away-
 His journeys just begun.. life holds so many facets this earth is only one...Think how much he may be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our saddness can really pass away.
And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched..for nothing loved is ever lost..and he was loved so much  
......Will never forget going to see Johnathan Livingston Sea Gull with you and the kids.............Miss you so Much!!!!! 

I am so glad I got to see you.

Enjoyed all the parties we went to with the familty....He was Family.....I remember when David and I went back together my brother told me aren't you glad you two are back together again where you belong.........it all just seemed right we were not kids/ grown up....David said it just feels so comfortable.......  I'm glad you were able to touch so many peoples lives..David Swingin G,. with a Capital T............You will always be in our Hearts............

This is a poem I wrote to David on the occasion of our wedding, December 7, 1974.

I comes sometimes at morning
to a man more to my liking
and shed, for a time, my reality
to cloak myself in his.

A labyrinth I must explore,
He speaks to my mind with feelings
And caught up in the riddle of his eyes,
I solve his body with my own.

Adrift together on a percale sea,
soft waves, for a time, our world
And then, reluctantly back
to a world less real...

Jacqueline Chardon AKA Pat Thomas

Our favorite song when we lived on Henrydale in what was then known as Auburn Heights was Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts. Those words said it all for us.

Your children and I will never stop loving you.

As I try to remember back as far as I can, I remember being 5 yrs old, David would always come in the house and hug and tickle me until I couldn't stand it anymore. He would do it till I cried and screamed for him to stop.   I remember watching him remodel the home on Dearborn St, and then he came to mom and dads to make a cut out in the wall of our house. So I always thought it was cool how he built things. I spent a lot of time at his house on Crooks rd too. 
Although he worked hard, he also found play time! I remember riding in his corvette with my sister, There was so very little room for me, but I was little. We were heading out to Bald Mountain Lake to go Swimming, My Brother and his wife were in their car ahead of us. We were all hungry and stopped to get chicken to eat on the way. As soon as David finished his chicken , he threw the bones out the window hitting my brothers windshield and laughing. But soon my brother passed and he started throwing chicken out the window too!! I always thought they were so crazy and fun to hang around. 
The best memories I have had now have been the past 15 years. We have gone camping, went to the lake,  hug out at bon fires, drove on the Golf cart, and just sat around and talked. I was there to see the property he bought in Clare before he began to build the house. I took mom and dad to see it and we returned often to check on his progress as he built the log home. Step by step and all the plans he had. Each piece as it went into place. I was intrigued by his plan. 
In the year of 2010, my sister took a little minnie vacation with one of her girlfriends and he came to stay here on the farm. I was at work everyday and I worried about him being here alone, but he said he would be fine. I hurried home to check on him and see if he was okay, and he was. One night we sat and talk for a few hours. He told me how thankful he was that my sister was there for him and all she was doing for him. He said, I don't know why she would want to do it. I told him it was because she loves and cares about you.... He said she just doesn't know how much I love her, and always have. Then he told me of all the relationships he has ever had, she was the only one.
I always called David, Honey, and he would always call me Shay-ro!! In his last weeks of life, I went to visit David at the nursing home, and my sis would always ask him questions. I don't think he liked questions because he didn't answer, . But when sis said to David, Cheryl got a motorcycle....he turned to me and flicked his eyebrows up and down in a sexy way, and said oh a biker mama! And that was my last memory I had. I am sure gonna miss him!! 

David and his 58 Chevy..he eventually had it painted Black .....the same car he came to visit me after Germany    on the  picture he wrote a note to me.."To the most wondeful girl I have ever known...Love You David...I will always cherish this picture..................Remember riding in that car  on many dates...........

David and I drove our camper to Illinois on our way to Texas the end of April......we camped over night and a big snow storm came in covered the camper wind was howling..........I told him "I'm scared"  he said Why??  "You have me"  he always had a good answer........   He was a romantic man...We had a fight when we were 1st married over something crazy.........he felt bad he yelled...I went in to the bedroom and he had spelled "I Love You" with his socks on the bed........how could I stay mad.......
When we 1st married we were only kids....in our early 20's..they were very crazy years but very passionate.. when we separated at 27  I remember all the beautiful letters he wrote to me and he loved to play the songs by Bread for me..David loved to dance ..he loved music.... 
Every spare chance he got he was building something it was his true Passion............I remember the song ...If I was a carpenter and you were my Lady....he would sing that to me 
 I am so happy that we were able to spend the last years of his life together ...we traveled all over the United States...saw all the places he always wanted to visit....enjoyed many sunsets together...........I miss you honey.  I will see you someday........

Dad bought me this dress on my 25th birthday and took me out on the town! We had a great time and listened to CCR full blast in the vette! Thank You Dad for this wonderful memory!

What a bunch of snappy dressers! Love this picture!

When I was around 18 my dad told me a story about a house. It was a house that he said he had driven by many times in his twentys. My Dad told my mother that he was going to own this house someday. Almost 20 years later, my dad bought the house on Crooks Rd. At 18 I walked through this house that was small with old wallpaper on the walls and part of the drywall from the celing hanging down. . My dad looked around the room, he imagined how everything in the house would look when he was finished. "This is where the countertops will end", he said. "My masterbedroom will be back here, and I'll have tongue and groove wood on the catherdral celings." My father had a vision for every house he worked on. Where I saw an old ratty, broken down house. My dad saw a beautiful home with a huge kitchen, high, wood celings and flowers everywhere.

     I will always remember my Dad as an artist. Someone who had a passion for creating new things. He loved to work with his hands and his imagination was limitless.

I remember so many things but here's a few. 

After getting blocked in Dave and Janets driveway by the local preacher he said a prayer for Dave and myself and how we had drifted from the church.....with heads bowed I remember hearing....
 Preacher:     Man shall not live by bread alone.
 Dave:          No,  thou must have peanut butter.

One night on his way home from work he had his Corvette up to 100+ on I-75. He exited onto Crooks road stopped at the stop sign and as he took off the back wheel fell off. 

I think I was 14 when I rode with Dave in his 64 Chevy in Wisconsin where he opened his "Laker Pipes" (flipped a little plate and the exhaust was straight from the engine.)  As we rounded a curve a whole herd of cattle stampeded from the fence line. I recorded rubber burning in all four gears on a small recorder.  Ma didn't think it was funny when she heard the recording.

Dave was a workaholic.  He built so many things and all to perfection.

I used to hang around Janet and Daves Dearborn St. house when I was young and dumb and when Dave would get home from work we would drink a few beers and sing Beatle songs.  While Dave,  Steve Frailey, Gene Hunt , and Myself sang , Gene banged away on one of the kid's piano's to songs like  "ob-la-di, ob-la-da,lifegoeson,bra" .    It was our safe house.


I rode motorcycles with Dave, He rode a Ducati . I had a Honda. Doc Moshier and Marvin Henderson went along. We rode to Hill 90 on Opdyke  Rd.  One day when leaving the police showed up and we went down M-59 before it was finished to get away. They couldn't get to us with their car.  

Dave was a classy person. Too many memories. There's too much to say.