RICHARD LeROY THOMAS

Richard LeRoy Thomas, 74, loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away at home on March 14, 2026, following a long battle with cancer and its related demons. Richard (“Rick”) was born on September 10, 1951, the fifth of six children, to Earl Nephi and Pearl Leona Beckstead Thomas. He married Tamara Hummel on July 31, 1979.

Rick graduated from Highland High School in 1969. He earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Utah in 1973 then, looking to make a career change, graduated from Utah Technical College in 1983 in Electronic Technology.

The economy didn’t smile on Rick’s career ambitions, and he spent most of his adult life working for various truck lines. It wasn’t what he had planned to do; the work was backbreaking, the winters were cold, and the hours weren’t family friendly. But he got the job done, providing for his family along the way, and instilling in them a solid work ethic.

Rick loved the outdoors and spent endless hours backpacking with friends. He loved hiking, fishing, and hunting, especially with his brothers and nephews. When Rick started his family, they settled for a less physical outdoor vacation, enjoying years of camping together every summer. But fishing and hiking were always part of every trip.

Rick easily started up conversations with anyone he ran into – whether he knew them or not. He especially had fun teasing his many nieces and nephews, giving each one a nickname they still carry.

He enjoyed getting together with extended family for barbeques and card games. Such occasions gave him a constant stream of audience members to captivate with his hilarious stories and anecdotes. But his proudest moments came from his two children, Sadie and Elliott. Not even his love for the outdoors could compare with the pride he felt in them and their accomplishments.

Rick leaves behind memories of a guy who was always ready to lend a hand, someone who never failed to answer a call for help no matter the hour, day or night. He is missed already.

Rick is survived by his wife, Tamara; his children, Sadie and Elliott; younger sister, Esther Martin; brother-in-law, Larry Truesdell; sister-in-law, Laurene Thomas; a throng of nieces and nephews, and several four-legged friends he fondly called his dogs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Marion Joy Beckstead, Earl Ray Thomas, Michael Riley Thomas, Pearl Rebecca Truesdell, and in-laws, Darlene Thomas and Michael Martin.

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor to remember Rick and swap stories about him.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Church Backyard

@

5380 West 5400 South

Kearns, Utah

Please RSVP to Tamara @ 801-792-2471

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