Angela Thomas

EULOGY FOR ANGELA M. THOMAS

Angela Marilyn Thomas was born the 8th of May 1948 in London, England. She passed away the 8th of November 2016 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

We would like to invite all of Our Family and Friends out for Angela's internment service at The Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA., on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 2:15p.m. sharp. It will be a short service there and than we would like to invite you all to join us back at the VFW Post 3603, Post Falls, ID. at about 4-4:30 for light refreshments and to share more stories of Angela.

Angela's parents were Albert and Hazel Hammond. She had 3 brothers: 2 older and 1 younger half brother. She had a complicated childhood and was raised as an only child because her father sent her to America when she was 4 and she was adopted by her Uncle and Aunt who raised her as their own. After 4, she never saw her biological parents again, but she did get to meet her brothers in 2000 and 2001. In 2000, 2 of her brothers and 2 nephews came over from England to see her and then in 2001, her oldest brother and his wife came. She was thrilled to meet her family.

Angela was raised mostly in Oregon, but the family moved around a lot. She graduated High School from Plymouth, North Carolina in 1966.

She met her sweetheart, Russell Thomas at a USO dance in Tacoma, Washington where he was serving in the Air Force. They were married August 30, 1968 in Tacoma, Washington and were married for 48 years. They moved many times while Russell was in the Military. Christena Louise, their first daughter was born the 1st of November 1971 in Tucson, Arizona. Later, their daughter, Margaret Lynn was born the 8th of April 1975 in Tacoma, Washington. Angela and Russell have 4 grandchildren.

Angela began investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April of 1994 with her youngest daughter, Margaret. While still investigating and with no real plans of joining the church, she agreed to feed the missionaries. A few days prior to feeding them, the missionaries called and asked if the A.P.'s or Assistants to the President could also come because they never get invited to members homes for dinner. Her response was, "Sure why not!" The day finally arrived. Their missionaries arrived first. Within a few minutes the A.P.’s arrived with a tag along. They innocently asked if they minded an extra. Angela, didn’t miss a beat saying cheerfully, "The more the merrier!" She was always like that.

September 16, 1994, Angela’s Baptism Day, finally arrived. The heater wasn’t turned on so the water was very cold. Even though she may not have wanted to be in that cold water, she wanted to be Baptized so in she went. On their second try they had success!

Angela enjoyed working with the VFW in the Women's Auxiliary while Russell worked with the VFW. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family; husband Russell, her children and grandchildren.

One of Angela's greatest trials was losing both of her parents within 5 months of each other in 1997. She also struggled over the past 10 years with many health issues including Diabetes which resulted in having her foot and part of her leg amputated.

On Tuesday, November 8th, Russell found Angela unresponsive at home and he called 911. The ambulance came and took her to the hospital. She passed away at Kootenai Health of Congestive heart failure.

She is survived by her husband, Russell, her daughter, Christena Anderson, son in law, Gary Anderson and grandson Thomas Stores, her daughter Margaret Leuck, son in law, Joshua Leuck, and grandchildren Sierra, Rusty and Emma Leuck.

It will be a short service there and than we would like to invite you all to join us back at the VFW Post 3603, Post Falls, ID. at about 4-4:30 for light refreshments and to share more stories of Angela.