The Life of RALPH Z THOMAS Jr.
Ralph “Butch” Thomas, Jr., 63, died Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, following a ten-month battle with cancer. The funeral service will be 12:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2013, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with visitation two hours prior, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Butch was born November 26, 1949, to Ralph and Pauline (Husted) Thomas in Des Moines, Iowa. He began his career as a Special Coatings Engineer for Local Painters Union 246. He was honored to be enlisted in the United States Army, and served as a SP4 in the Vietnam War. Butch was a sports enthusiast. He loved to play golf, pool, darts, bowling, and fishing. Butch was a lifelong Chicago sports fan.
Butch is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Diana; his step-daughter, Tara (Michael) Porche; his daughter, Stacey (Shawn) Enloe and daughter, Shawna Weir; his mother, Pauline Husted; sister, Bev (Gary) Wright; brothers, Ernie Thomas and Tom (Terry) Dawson; grandsons, Matthew Porche and Jacob Enloe; long-time best friend Mark (Natalie) Johnson; cherished dog, Dolly; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Thomas, Sr., his nephew, TJ Wright; and granddaughter, Emily Porche.
