BROOKS – Dale A. Thomas Sr., 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family April 4, 2013, after a long battle with cardiac and pulmonary illness. He was born Feb. 5, 1939, in China, the son of the late William and Ester (Bragdon) Thomas and the thirteenth child of a family of 17.
Dale grew up at the family farm on Knox Ridge. He settled in Brooks in 1959 with his wife Beatrice (Moody) Thomas where they started their family. Dale worked for Delmont Clark for 25 years before starting his own business, Dale A. Thomas and Sons, Inc., in 1982. The business manufactured agricultural equipment and later Thomas Band Saw Mill. Through the years, Dale was very active in the community. He was a founding member of Brooks Ambulance Service, a member and past president of Brooks Booster Club, a member of Brooks Fire Department, Harvest Home Grange, Marsh River Lodge and planning board as well as a Boy Scout leader. Dale enjoyed spending time with his family camping, hunting, fishing and traveling as well as spending time at deer camp in Troy. Having an array of interests, he was accomplished in engineering, design, art, restoration of antique tractors and some would say a philosopher. He took great pride in providing his grandchildren with life lessons and stressing the importance of a common sense approach to life. Dale enjoyed the Fourth of July parades in Brooks, building many artistic floats including Thomas the Train, airplane, spider, full-size stage coach and buck board. He has instilled his ideals, passions and love within his family.
Dale will be deeply missed by his wife Beatrice (Moody) Thomas of 52 years; son, Dale Jr. and wife, Patsy, and grandson, Dale III; son, Kendall and granddaughter, Melissa Potter; son, James and wife, Cathy, and granddaughter, Alexandria; and son, Jonathan, granddaughter, Austyn and grandson, Jonathan II. He is also survived by brothers; Claude Thomas and wife, Marion and Bernard Thomas; brother-in-law, George Moody and wife, Leola; many special nieces and nephews; and special friends, Frank and Joanne Finley and Neal and Jeanette Gay and their families. He was predeceased by sisters, Elnora Shaw, Millie Livermore, Shirley Thomas and Arlene Thomas; and brothers; Richard, Arthur, Grant, Neil, Gary, Robert, Carl, Bill and Lowell Thomas.
A celebration of life service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Brooks Pentecostal Church, 178 Monroe Highway, Brooks, with a gathering at the church afterwards. Private committal will take place at a later date in the spring. Friends who wish may contribute to Brooks Ambulance Service, 55 Reynolds Road, Brooks, ME 04921. Arrangements made by Riposta Funeral Home, Belfast. To offer condolences to the Thomas family please visit www.ripostafh.com.
Dale A. Thomas Sr.
