Chet Thomas Jr.

Chester “Chet” Thomas, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 15th, at home, after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer.

He was born June 27, 1952 to Jeanne and Chet Thomas Sr. and was a 1971 graduate of Denfeld High School. Chet attended Mesabi Community College for one semester before being drafted into the US Army. He married Nancie Johnson on December 14, 1974, at St. Jean’s Catholic Church. He then went on to complete his college degree at UWS and graduated in 1977.

Chet was in the insurance business for over 35 years and retired in 2017. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council 8268, Jim Smart Senior Golf League and the Wednesday Senior traveling golf league. He coached youth hockey and baseball in Duluth Heights and was a Minnesota State High School Umpire for over 20 years. Chet and Nancie traveled through the years to many great vacation spots. His favorites were Bermuda, Montreal and the Madeira Islands. They spent their retirement years wintering in Gulf Shores, AL. where he played golf each morning, (recording 2 hole in ones), walked the trails every afternoon, fished in the Gulf and watched the sunsets from their deck. But more than anything he loved to watch his grandchildren play fast pitch softball, baseball and hockey. He will be missed by all family and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his mother and father-in-law, Barb and Ken Johnson. 

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancie; son, Ryan (Lindsay) Thomas; daughter, Christie (Shawn) Ford; grandchildren, Mara Thomas, Mason Thomas and Kane Ford; and sister Pam (Keith) Halvorson.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Monday, June 24, 2024, with visitation starting at 10 am and Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery-Duluth. The family would like to thank the entire Essentia Health Hospice team and especially his RN Case Manager, Sarah, for her compassionate and loving care. In lieu of flowers Chet requested memorials be sent to the St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund for High School Seniors (151 W. Linden St. Duluth, MN 55811).

Arrangements by Williams-Lobermeier-Boettcher Funeral Home.