Obituary: Thomas, Edward Jr.

Age 77

Wed., Aug. 28, 2013

THOMAS, Edward Jr. (Age 77) Passed away suddenly on August 26, 2013 at his home in Liberty Lake, Washington.

Edward was diagnosed with cancer on August 6, 2013.

He is survived by his fiancÄ‚Ĺ e, Catherine Emerson; child-ren Malcolm, Mark, Denise, and Guy; seven grandchildren; brother, Charles; sisters, Irma, Joann and Carol.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Andrew and Roy.

Edward was born to Mary and Edward Thomas June 8, 1936, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He grew up in Marrero/New Orleans, and attended Williams Memorial Grade School, All Saints Middle School, Xavier Prep and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1955.

He joined the USAF in 1956 and retired in 1978 as a Senior Master Sergeant E8, Superintendent of Accounting and Finance, after 22 years.

In 1976 he graduated from Fort Wright College in Spokane with a B.A., and served on the Board of Trustees at Fort Wright until it closed in 1983.

He received his M.B.A. from City University in Spokane in 1982.

Edward served on several boards throughout the city of Spokane and presented an idea for constructing the current Inter Model Facility for busses and trains.

He was the founding chairman for Spokane’s Citizens Review Panel (police).

He served on the Interplayers Ensemble Advisory Board, Local Theater: KPBX Public Radio Community Advisory Board, and United Way Allocations Panel in Spokane.

He also served on the Sports, Entertainment, Convention and Arts Advisory Board (SEACAB) that oversaw the Opera House, Joe Albi Stadium, AG Trade Center and the Convention Center.

He founded the African American Forum in 1987, ran for City Council twice, and was the campaign manager for a successful mayoral run.

Edward had many friends.

I have seen how each one was touched by his friendship as they visited him at the hospital and at our home.

Thank you for all your support and loving concern during this very difficult time.

Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675.

Memorial Services will be scheduled at a later date.

Community Cremation and Funeral Spokane Valley 13127 E. Sprague, Spokane Valley, WA 99216 509-926-2020 www.CommunityCremationandFuneral.com

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