Duane Edgar Thomas, 89, rural Delphos, died at his home on Sunday, August 25, 2024. He was born September 6, 1934, in Ottawa County, to Reuben William and Avis Margaret (Cooper) Thomas. He attended country school and was a 1952 graduate of Delphos High School. Duane then attended mechanic school in Nebraska.
On January 15, 1955, he and Alice Darlene Adams were united in marriage. He worked for Dick Handy Chevrolet in Minneapolis and later owned and operated his own repair business for 70 years. Duane was a longtime farmer and woodworker. His family was blessed each Christmas with one of his projects. Duane’s family meant the world to him, and he tried to attend all of their activities.
As Darlene wrote, “He always has been a quiet gentleman with a heart of gold.” He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Darlene; son, Danny; and granddaughter, Rachel Lynn Porter.
Survivors are his son, Reuben Thomas and wife, Amy; daughter, Debra Porter; daughter-in-law, Alyce Thomas; grandsons, Adam Thomas and wife, Lindsey and Jerry Porter, Jr. and wife, Rachel, and Stephanie Wiley and husband, Lashaune; great-grandchildren, Anastasia Moedor, Ryan Thomas, Addie Thomas, Casper Porter, and Tyanna Porter; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, August 29, at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 30 at the funeral home.
Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Lamar. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Love in Action or the Hall Wesleyan Church and may be left in care of the funeral home. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Duane E. Thomas, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.