Alfred "Skip" George Thomas

Alfred George Thomas, better known as Skip to his family and friends, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Steele, ND, on August 2, 2014. Services will be held at 1:30 Friday, August 15, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, ND, with Rev. Bob Schoepp officiating. Burial will take place at 3:00 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 1825 46th Street, Mandan, ND. Skip was born on March 9, 1948, in Fitchburg, MA, where he grew up before joining the US Army to serve two tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon returning from his service he started a family in central Massachusetts and eventually settled in Adamant, in central Vermont, continuing his profession as an accomplished salesman before starting his own automotive business in Barre, VT. Skip was an avid fisherman and bird hunter for most of his adult life. He became especially passionate about waterfowl hunting in Vermont, Canada and North Dakota. For many years he was very active in conservation efforts, particularly with Ducks Unlimited, where he served as State Chairman, Greenwing Chairman, National Delegate and Trustee Emeritus. His many years of devoted service to Ducks Unlimited earned him the title of "Supreme Commander" and an annual award "The Skip Thomas Award" given annually to the Vermont Ducks Unlimited member deemed to have done the most for Ducks Unlimited the previous year. Upon retirement, Skip moved to Steele and his interests branched out to include classic car restoration and, significantly, helping serve fellow veterans though his role as Veterans Service Officer for the Kidder County Veterans Service Office. Skip is particularly noted for his hard work in establishing the Veteran's Memorial Park in Steele and its annual Veteran's Appreciation Day. Skip is survived by his daughter, Sarah Thomas, and grandson, Greggory Davis, both of Barre, VT; his son, Christopher Thomas of Knoxville, MD; and his longtime life partner, Patricia Magnus of Steele, ND, and her children, Samuel Elias and Lindsay Turlan. Skip will be remembered by all those who loved him for his generosity, his desire to help others, his love of the outdoors, and his outstanding sense of humor. Memorial gifts can be made to Ducks Unlimited –The Tribute Event c/o Dennis Havey at either P.O. Box 91, Driscoll, ND 58532 or 295 Brook Dr. Bristol, VT 05443. These funds will be used to establish a Ducks Unlimited wetland conservation area to be named in memory of Skip. Additionally, memorial gifts can be made to the North Dakota Support Our Veterans Fund which assists North Dakota veterans and their eligible dependents at: Support Our Veterans Fund "Impact Foundation" 4141 28th Ave. S, Fargo, ND 58104.

Alfred "Skip" George Thomas

March 9, 1948 - August 2, 2014