Thomas
Harvey Robert Thomas of Alliance, Alta. was born on June 5, 1939 to Margaret and Sebastian “Red” Thomas at Battle Bend, Alta.
He passed away on Jan. 7, 2020 at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Alta., at the age of 80 years old.
Harvey was born and raised on the farm, the second eldest in a family of eight brothers and one sister.
He graduated high school in Alliance in 1957.
After spending over a decade working on a drilling rig for Regent Drilling, he decided to begin his own family and farm full-time.
On June 23, 1973, he married Marilyn Derr. Their son Wayne was adopted at the age of eight weeks old in 1980. As a father, Harvey shared his love of the farm with his son.
Wayne was brought up sleeping on the floor of the combine, moving equipment before he was old enough to drive, and warming baby chicks when the power went out.
Harvey took great pride in his role as an Alberta Wheat Pool delegate for many years.
He always stayed current with politics through newspapers and radio.
His only form of social media was face to face or the telephone, and he never hesitated to speak his mind and share his opinions.
Harvey’s final years were spent doing the things he loved.
He attended school concerts, piano recitals, hockey and baseball games, always encouraging his grandchildren to work hard and stressed the value of education.
He tended his garden, prepared saskatoons for the freezer to be enjoyed in a baked crisp when the days turned cold.
He processed his cucumbers into refrigerator pickles and stocked his cold storage with potatoes and carrots.
He continued to be actively involved in the farm, always excited to share the first spring crocuses, indicating the start of another growing season.
A season to pick rocks, eat supper in the field and spend hours in one of his favourite places–on the combine.
Left to remember him are his son Wayne (Shauna-lee); his four grandchildren: Katelyn, Cloe, Trinity and Cole; five siblings: Lloyd (Evelyn), Alan (Carol), Mike (Audrey), Henry, Louise (Wayne); sisters-in-law Linda and Kathy; numerous nieces and nephews and a large extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents Sebastian “Red” and Margaret; four brothers: Gary, Ralph, Lee and Ken; and sister-in- law Teresa.
Sincere thanks to Dr. Timothy Hanton and staff at the Killam Health Care Centre.
A funeral service for the late Harvey Robert Thomas will be held on Thurs., Jan. 16, 2020 at the Alliance Community Hall, Alliance, Alta.
Donations are gratefully accepted to the Cross Cancer Institute, Battle Bend Cemetery or a charity of the donor’s choice c/o Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, P.O. Box 186, Castor, Alta. T0C 0X0, 403-578-3777, who are entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.
To send condolences to the family, please visit www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
