THOMAS, SOARES

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, September 02, 2008 at 05:00:27 :

Independent Journal
Wednesday, February 1, 1978
Page 4

VERNON D. THOMAS Jr.

A private service has been held for Vernon D. Thomas Jr., 63, of San Rafael, a retired equipment operator at Hutchinson Co. quarry in Larkspur.

Thomas, a resident of Larkspur, died unexpectedly at his motor home, 2130 Redwood Highway, Monday. He had a history of heart trouble, according to the Marin County coroner’s office.

Before working for the Hutchinson Co. for more than 15 years, Thomas had worked eight years for A. G. Raisch Co. He was a member of Operating Engineers Union Local 3.

He served with the Maritime Service as a tug boat captain during World War II and was a licensed airplane pilot and former member of the Marin Sheriff’s Air Patrol.

Thomas also served briefly as a deputy sheriff in 1954 and had been chairman of the disaster board of the Marin County Red Cross chapter. He was a member of the Marin Amateurs Radio Club.

His late father was a police captain in San Rafael and Thomas was an unsuccessful candidate for San Rafael police chief in 1963.

Thomas was born in San Rafael, educated in San Rafael schools and lived in San Rafael until moving to Larkspur two years ago.

Surviving are his mother, Christina A. Thomas; and a sister, Dorothy Soares, both of San Rafael.